Folic Acid is a medicine sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for megaloblastic anemia and folic acid deficiency. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
From the FDA label for Folic Acid (application ANDA211064). Other folic acid products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Oral administration is preferred. Although most patients with malabsorption cannot absorb food folates, they are able to absorb folic acid, USP given orally. Parenteral administration is not advocated but may be necessary in some individuals (e.g., patients receiving parenteral or enteral alimentation). Doses greater than 0.1 mg should not be used unless anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency has been ruled out or is being adequately treated with a cobalamin. Daily doses greater than 1 mg do not enhance the hematologic effect, and most of the excess is excreted unchanged in the urine. The usual therapeutic dosage in adults and children (regardless of age) is up to 1 mg daily. Resistant cases may require larger doses. When clinical symptoms have subsided and the blood picture has become normal, a daily maintenance level should be used, i.e., 0.1 mg for infants and up to 0.3 mg for children under 4 years of age, 0.4 mg for adults and children 4 or more years of age, and 0.8 mg for pregnant and lactating women, but never less than 0.1 mg/day. Patients should be kept under close supervision and adjustment of the maintenance level made if relapse appears imminent. In the presence of alcoholism, hemolytic anemia, anticonvulsant therapy, or chronic infection, the maintenance level may need to be increased.
Allergic sensitization has been reported following both oral and parenteral administration of folic acid. Folic acid is relatively nontoxic in man. Rare instances of allergic responses to folic acid preparations have been reported and have included erythema, skin rash, itching, general malaise, and respiratory difficulty due to bronchospasm. One patient experienced symptoms suggesting anaphylaxis following injection of the drug. Gastrointestinal side effects, including anorexia, nausea, abdominal distention, flatulence, and a bitter or bad taste, have been reported in patients receiving 15 mg folic acid daily for 1 month. Other side effects reported in patients receiving 15 mg daily include altered sleep patterns, difficulty in concentrating, irritability, overactivity, excitement, mental depression, confusion, and impaired judgment. Decreased vitamin B12 serum levels may occur in patients receiving prolonged folic acid therapy. In an uncontrolled study, orally administered folic acid was reported to increase the incidence of seizures in some epileptic patients receiving phenobarbital, primidone, or diphenylhydantoin. Another investigator reported decreased diphenylhydantoin serum levels in folate-deficient patients receiving diphenylhydantoin who were treated with 5 mg or 15 mg of folic acid daily.
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Typical price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $1 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $1 |
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENL | 2.5 mg / 1 mg / 7 mg / 13.6 mg / 6.4 mg / 800 ug / 12 mg / 25 ug / 25 ug / 25 ug / 50 ug / 25 ug / 24 mg / 1 mg / 1 mg / 500 ug / 1.83 mg / 3.67 mg | brown | oval | — |
| Mini | 280 ug / 80 mg / 9 mg / 9 mg / 150 ug / 25 mg / 350 mg / 25 mg / 600 ug / 60 mg / 25 ug / 4.5 mg / 26 mg / 400 ug / 13 ug | green | oval | — |
| 21;7 | 175 mg / 10 mg / 12 ug / 75 mg / 400 ug / 150 mg / 600 ug | red, purple | oval | — |
| T9 | 1 mg / 100 mg / 20 mg / 1.7 mg / 10 mg / 6 ug / 5 mg / 150 ug | red | oval | — |
| Prenate | 40 mg / 90 mg / 5.5 ug / 4.5 mg / 26 mg / 400 ug / 600 ug / 13 ug / 280 ug / 160 mg / 18 mg / 150 ug / 50 mg / 300 mg |
A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Folic acid, USP is contraindicated in patients who have shown previous intolerance to the drug.
There is evidence that the anticonvulsant action of phenytoin is antagonized by folic acid. A patient whose epilepsy is completely controlled by phenytoin may require increased doses to prevent convulsions if folic acid is given. Folate deficiency may result from increased loss of folate, as in renal dialysis and/or interference with metabolism (e.g., folic acid antagonists such as methotrexate); the administration of anticonvulsants, such as diphenylhydantoin, primidone, and barbiturates; alcohol consumption and, especially, alcoholic cirrhosis; and the administration of pyrimethamine and nitrofurantoin. False low serum and red cell folate levels may occur if the patient has been taking antibiotics, such as tetracycline, which suppress the growth of Lactobacillus casei.
| green, yellow |
| oval |
| — |
| PN | 780 ug / 75 mg / 15 ug / 18 mg / 3.5 mg / 21 mg / 21 mg / 400 ug / 600 ug / 160 mg / 20 mg / 13 ug / 330 ug / 150 ug / 25 mg / 15 mg / 1.5 mg | white | oval | — |
|---|
| ENL | 5.23 mg / 2.5 mg / 1 mg / 13.6 mg / 24 mg / 1 mg / 25 ug / 25 ug / 25 ug / 25 ug / 50 ug / 500 ug / 1 mg / 6.4 mg / 800 ug / 12 mg | brown | capsule | — |
|---|