Folic acid pharmaceutical group. Folic acid - instructions for use

Folic acid (Lat. Acidumfolicum), which has the trade name “Folacin,” is a biologically inactive, water-soluble vitamin from group B (namely B9). It was discovered in 1930. The drug was originally named after the scientist who discovered it - “Wheels Factor”. Later, B9 was isolated from spinach leaves and named folic acid (Latin folium - leaf, leaf).

Pharmacological properties

Folacin for medical purposes is obtained artificially and sold in the form of tablets, dragees or capsules. Vitamin B9 is poorly absorbed in the human body; it is synthesized only in very small quantities in the large intestine. When consumed, folate is converted by cells into a biologically active form called tetrahydrofolate. It is thanks to him that the body produces the amino acids that a person needs.

Information about vitamin B9

Folates are found in fresh vegetables and fruits. People who prefer fresh greens in their diet never complain about a lack of vitamin B9.

This vitamin is contained in plants such as:

Fruits are also rich in vitamin B9:

• citrus;
• bananas;
• apricots.

There is less folate in products of dairy or animal origin, but in order for the body to receive it in sufficient quantities, it is worth consuming:

• liver;
• eggs (yolk);
• meat;
• fish;
• cottage cheese.

Vitamin B9 contains:

• beans;
• nuts;
• yeast;
• cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal);
• millet;
• wholemeal flour.

Naturally occurring folate poorly absorbed by the body. This is why people who need them must take it in the form of medications. The following vitamin medications are especially indicated:

• women planning pregnancy;
• in the first trimester of pregnancy;
• people suffering from epilepsy;
• patients with diabetes mellitus;
• patients with intestinal diseases.

Indications for use of folic acid

According to the instructions, B9 is prescribed to men and women suffering from iron deficiency anemia, as well as:

Children are prescribed vitamin B9 in the following cases:

• its lack in the children's body;
• in the treatment of anemia.

Taking folic acid by pregnant women

The benefits of vitamin B9 have been known for a long time, but only in the last ten years have doctors prescribed folates for preventive purposes for pregnant women:

Sometimes, to enhance the effect, B9 is prescribed together with other vitamins: B12, ascorbic acid. It is more profitable to buy such multicomponent preparations than several vitamins separately.

Contraindications for folic acid

B9 drugs are not prescribed to patients:

• with hypersensitivity to components;
• for oncology;
• in case of malabsorption of B vitamins;
• with cobalamin deficiency (vitamin B12);
• with hemosiderosis (disorder of the metabolism of iron-containing components).

In some cases, the following side effects of folic acid are possible:

• vomit;
• nausea;
• bitterness in the mouth;
• bloating;
• allergic reaction in the form of rash and itching.

Use of vitamin B9

Folates are poorly absorbed from foods prepared in their pure form. For example, to provide the body with a daily dose of vitamin B9, you need to consume about 20 stalks of fresh asparagus. In its artificial form, this vitamin is absorbed better, and it is quite inexpensive. You can take the drug for a long time - an overdose is unlikely, the component does not accumulate in cells and is well excreted from the body.

Dosage of the drug

Vitamins B9 provide g homeopathic effect on the human body and are available in the following dosage form:

• in powder form - 1 mg dose;
• in drops - a bottle with a dosage of 30 ml;
• tablets - 25, 30, 60, 50 or 90 pcs. in a blaster, dosage 1-2 mg;
• in the form of 1 mg tablets, used to prevent vitamin B9 deficiency in children;
• for injections - 1 ampoule contains 400 mcg of active substance.

Indications for taking vitamin B9 and its daily doses prescribed for preventive purposes:

When treating certain conditions caused by a lack of vitamins B9, it is necessary to adhere to strict doctor's orders:

• for atherosclerosis in elderly patients;
• for celiac disease (digestive disorders);
• for gum disease, gingivitis, bad breath;
• for ulcerative lesions of the epidermis (folates are prescribed in combination with phenolic acid);
• during depression.

Preparations with folates and analogs containing them are indicated for use by all age categories. Here are some other recommendations for their use:

Manufacturer: OJSC "Borisov Plant of Medical Preparations" Republic of Belarus

ATS code: B03BB01

Farm group:

Release form: Solid dosage forms. Pills.

General characteristics. Compound:

Pharmacological properties:

Indications for use:

Storage conditions:

In a place protected from light and moisture, at a temperature not exceeding 25 ºС. Keep out of the reach of children. Shelf life - 3 years. Do not use after expiration date.

Vacation conditions:

Over the counter

Package:

5 blister packs of 10 tablets per pack.

Content

Those who dream of giving birth and raising a healthy child, having gorgeous hair and nails, and shining with beauty cannot do without this amazing vitamin. Indispensable from birth to old age, it can enter the body with food, in the form of finished preparations. You need to understand how folic acid works and what its benefits are.

Benefits of folic acid

This water-soluble vitamin belongs to group B, comes with food, a small amount is produced by the body - often this is enough for normal functioning. Sometimes you have to take a substance to the required level in a synthetic form. How is folic acid useful, why is so much attention paid to its quantity and presence?

Vitamin B9, another name for this substance, helps solve many problems. Its use helps:

• prepare for conception;
• give birth to a healthy child;
• improve memory;
• slow down aging;
• the child’s body grows;
• smooth out the symptoms of menopause;
• relieve irritability;
• prevent the formation of blood clots;
• get rid of anemia;
• normalize the psyche.

It is equally bad for a person to have a deficiency of this substance or an excess. When there is a vitamin deficiency:

• Fatigue comes quickly;
• hair loss begins;
• nails break;
• anemia occurs;
• thrombus formation increases;
• In women, symptoms worsen during menopause;
• in men, sperm motility is impaired;
• a child is born with pathologies.

An overdose of this substance may cause unpleasant symptoms and serious consequences:

• bitterness, metallic taste in the mouth;
• nausea;
• flatulence;
• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• increased excitability;
• deficiency of zinc, vitamin B12;
• cancer cell growth;
• kidney dysfunction;
• mental disorder in the elderly;
• development of breast adenocarcinoma;
• the appearance of prostate cancer.

This vitamin is indispensable in solving issues of female beauty. The affordable price helps to use the drug in cosmetology, in addition to internal use, for the preparation of masks and medicinal solutions. The product is used for:

• fight against pigment spots;
• counteract hair loss;
• maintaining skin freshness;
• preventing the appearance of wrinkles;
• strengthening nails.

Action of folic acid

Although this drug is available and has a low price, it is indispensable for the body and greatly affects its functioning. This vitamin has the following properties:

• takes part in active cell division - helps skin renewal, growth and development of the fetus;
• promotes hematopoietic processes;
• protects the walls of blood vessels, preventing the formation of blood clots.

The participation of vitamin B9 is no less important for the processes:

• DNA formation - transmission of hereditary characteristics;
• carbohydrate and fat metabolism;
• increasing immunity;
• amino acid synthesis;
• production of enzymes that counteract the formation of tumors;
• muscle recovery in athletes;
• production of hydrochloric acid;
• iron absorption;
• exchange of adrenaline and serotonin.

Folic acid - instructions

The drug is produced in the form of ampoules for injections, tablets, and is part of multivitamin and dietary supplement complexes. The vitamin is well absorbed and is compatible with many medications. How much of this substance should I take? Instructions for use of folic acid recommend a daily dosage for an adult of 400 mcg. It increases during pregnancy and complex diseases.

You should take vitamin B9 as prescribed by your doctor - there are side effects and contraindications for use. A rash, itching, redness of the skin, and bronchospasms may occur. The use of the drug is not recommended if:

• iron metabolism disorders;
• substance intolerance;
• poor absorption of vitamin B12;
• malignant neoplasms.

Indications for use are:

• anemia;
• infertility;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• gastroenteritis;
• atherosclerosis;
• mammary cancer;
• schizophrenia;
• migraine;
• osteoporosis;
• weakening of intelligence;
• menopause;
• preparation for conception;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• depression.

During pregnancy

The period of waiting for a child is a huge change in the body. Why do pregnant women need folic acid, why is it necessary to take it? This is due to the formation of fetal systems and organs in the first months. Vitamin B9 for pregnant women helps:

• tissue growth due to cell division;
• transmission of hereditary characteristics;
• development of nervous tissue;
• formation of blood vessels of the placenta;
• creation of the hematopoietic system.

How much vitamin does a pregnant woman need? A woman’s body functions for two people, and the dosage increases proportionally. It is very convenient that the drug has an affordable price - it is difficult to get the required portion of the substance from products. The daily dosage for a pregnant woman should be 800 mcg. At this time, the drug is prescribed in the form:

• tablets;
• vitamin complexes;
• Dietary supplements.

If there is a deficiency of vitamin B9 in the body, problems for the woman and child are possible:

• hematopoietic disorder;
• neural tube defects;
• tendency to thrombosis;
• decreased immunity;
• mental retardation;
• miscarriage;
• the birth of a stillborn child;
• congenital deformities;
• oxygen starvation of the fetus.

When planning a pregnancy

In order to exclude developmental defects, a woman needs to plan a pregnancy - start taking the drug three months before conception. This will help accumulate the necessary amount for the period of increased stress on the female body. The dosage of folic acid when planning pregnancy is 400 mcg per day, which will help avoid complications.

For men

Taking the vitamin is important for the male body already in adolescence for proper puberty. With its deficiency, problems with the nervous system and memory are possible. Folic acid is also important for men because it is responsible for the properties - quantity and motility of sperm. With a deficiency of the substance, infertility and the development of atherosclerosis are likely.

For children

The pediatrician decides how much and at what age to give this vitamin to children. The price of the drug is affordable, and its importance for the development of the body is enormous. To obtain the required dosage, a folic acid tablet for children is diluted with water, and the required amount is taken with a syringe. The substance helps:

• body growth;
• creating immunity;
• organ formation.

For hair

Cosmetologists use the drug to solve hair problems. Vitamins are available, inexpensive, and used in the form of masks for internal use. Using vitamin B9 for hair solves problems:

• loss;
• strength and shine;
• early gray hair;
• dryness;
• fragility;
• accelerating growth;
• thickness;
• hair follicles;
• split ends;
• improving the structure.

For anemia

If there is a deficiency of this vitamin in the body, the formation of red blood cells - erythrocytes - is disrupted. There are fewer of them, and their size increases, anemia appears. It is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin and a disruption in the flow of oxygen into the blood. Folic acid for anemia helps solve the problem, goes away:

• fatigue;
• headache;
• pallor.

Price

It is possible to order vitamins from catalogs, then buy them in an online store. The price of folic acid in the pharmacy will be lower - there are no delivery costs. The cost of the vitamin depends on the form of release, manufacturer, quantity, and additional components in the composition. Price range in rubles:

• tablets – 1 mg, No. 50 – 28-45;
• Doppelhertz active with vitamins – No. 30 – 350-610;
• Solgar (dietary supplement) – 100 pieces – 760-1200.

What foods contain folic acid?

The richest sources of this vitamin are spinach, liver, and black beans. Its high content is in the following products:

• beef;
• chicken giblets;
• Brewer's yeast;
• salmon;
• buckwheat;
• legumes – peas, beans;
• citrus fruits – oranges, tangerines;
• greens - salads, parsley, dill;
• cabbage;
• peaches;
• apricots;
• avocado;
• rose hip.

Video

Gross formula

Pharmacological group of the substance Folic acid

Nosological classification (ICD-10)

CAS Code

Characteristics of the substance Folic acid

Yellow or yellowish-orange crystalline powder. Practically insoluble in water and alcohol, easily soluble in alkalis. Hygroscopic. Decomposes in light.

Pharmacology

In the body it is converted into tetrahydrofolic acid, necessary for the maturation of megaloblasts and their transformation into normoblasts. With its deficiency, a megaloblastic type of hematopoiesis develops. It occupies an important place in the metabolism of purines and pyrimidines, the synthesis of nucleic acids, and the metabolism of amino acids (glycine, methionine and histidine). After ingestion, folic acid combines with intrinsic Castle factor (a specific glycoprotein) in the stomach and is absorbed in the upper part of the duodenum. Almost completely binds to plasma proteins. It is activated in the liver under the influence of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, turning into tetrahydrofolic acid. Cmax in the blood is reached within 30-60 minutes. It is excreted by the kidneys both unchanged and in the form of metabolites.

Use of the substance Folic acid

Megaloblastic anemia caused by folic acid deficiency; tropical and non-tropical sprue, drug and radiation anemia and leukopenia, chronic gastroenteritis, intestinal tuberculosis, folic acid deficiency, incl. with malnutrition, pregnancy, infancy and childhood.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity.

Side effects of the substance Folic acid

Allergic reactions: bronchospasm, erythema, fever, skin rashes.

Interaction

Combined use with analgesics, anticonvulsants, antacids, cholestyramine, sulfonamides, antibiotics, and cytostatics reduces the effect.

Updating information

Interaction with anticonvulsants

A number of studies have shown a 16-50% reduction in phenytoin levels after taking 5-15 mg of folic acid daily for 2-4 weeks. In the case of prescribing folic acid for folate deficiency in patients with epilepsy receiving phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, it is necessary to monitor the level of these drugs in the blood serum for the purpose of timely dose adjustment (if necessary).

A source of information

Stockley's drug interactions/ Ed. by I.H. Stocrley.- 6th ed.- London - Chicago, Pharmaceutical Press.- P.314.

[Updated 06.08.2013 ]

Routes of administration

Inside.

Precautions for the substance Folic acid

Folic acid is not used to treat B 12 deficiency (pernicious), normocytic and aplastic anemia. In pernicious anemia, folic acid, while improving hematological parameters, masks neurological manifestations. Until pernicious anemia has been ruled out, administration of folic acid in doses exceeding 0.1 mg/day is not recommended.

Interactions with other active ingredients

Related news

Trade names

Vitamin B9 (folic acid) belongs to the group of water-soluble vitamins. For its beneficial properties, it has been given several “folk” names - “women’s vitamin”, “vitamin from leaves”. It was isolated from spinach leaves (leaf in Latin - “folicum”) by the English scientist N. Mitchell. It is partially synthesized by intestinal microflora, the main part of it enters the body with food.

All doctors and scientists recognize that vitamin B9 is the “foundation of the foundations” of the human body.

The effect of vitamin B9 (folic acid) on the body

The action of vitamin B9 is to regulate the development of new cells, chemical processes and enzyme activity. Folic acid is a participant in the synthesis of blood cells, in particular red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets, the synthesis of amino acids and RNA. This is important for the formation of the fetus and the prevention of fetal development defects and premature birth. The required dosage of folic acid normalizes metabolism and the digestive process.

It is worth remembering that vitamin B9 has the most beneficial effect only in conjunction with vitamin B12; the absence of one of them sharply limits the properties and effects of the other.

With age, the functioning of the digestive tract begins to become difficult; the body is no longer able to fully block poisons and toxins coming from food and the environment, and protein absorption becomes difficult. Vitamin B9 can eliminate these problems; its deficiency can aggravate the situation.

When exposed to folic acid, serotonin is released - the “happy hormone”. Its lack can lead to depression and stress, which today affects young people and the working population. Therefore, folic acid was given another nickname - “the good mood vitamin.”

In addition to the above, its sphere of influence includes immune processes, regeneration of the skin and internal tissues, and hair growth. So, to the attention of both women and men: a lack of folic acid necessarily leads to premature hair loss and baldness. Here the result of a bad attitude towards your body will be obvious!

What prevents folic acid from being absorbed?

It is not very easy to obtain folic acid; we lose some of it when digesting food, and we destroy some of it by taking alcohol, medications, and smoking. The ability to be absorbed is significantly reduced with impaired liver function.

As is already known, vitamin B9 can be produced independently in the intestines, but which of the residents of large cities today can boast of a healthy stomach? You will have to additionally consume fermented milk products, live yoghurts, complexes with bifidobacteria - they won’t hurt!

Heat treatment destroys the vitamin very quickly, so when cooking, try to cover the pan with a lid and not overcook it. In addition, folic acid degrades when exposed to sunlight at room temperature.

Cheese and meat contain a certain substance - methionine, which contributes to the consumption of folic acid in unnecessary directions. It is for this reason, as well as thanks to a plant-based diet, that vegetarians do not have problems with a lack of nutrients.

Alcohol is a terrible enemy of vitamin B6, but bifidobacteria, on the contrary, catalyze its own production. You just need to replace alcoholic cocktails with biokefir and your mood will improve, because the level of the “good mood vitamin” will increase. But there will be no hangover. It's a shame, isn't it?

Vitamin B9 should be taken in a balanced complex with B12 and ascorbic acid, because Large doses of one can neutralize the effects of the others.

Many drugs can also neutralize folic acid: aspirin, nitrofuran drugs, antiepileptic drugs (large doses of B9 can have the same effect on them), anti-tuberculosis therapy.

Daily norm

The daily intake of vitamin B9 is purely individual and depends on the circumstances. The optimal dosage for an adult is within the range of 200 mcg - minimum and 500 mcg - maximum per day, but the main condition is regularity. The minimum dose guarantees a healthy lifestyle. However, with increasing mental and physical stress, stress or illness, care must be taken to increase the dosage. During pregnancy and during feeding of newborn children, as well as with age, the dosage should increase significantly, and its rate will be determined by consultation with a doctor.

By the way, not only a woman should take care of the health of her unborn child. During pregnancy planning, a man would absolutely benefit from taking additional vitamin B9.

For children, norms depend on age:

• 0-12 months – 50 mcg;
• 1-3 years – 70 mcg;
• 4-6 years – 100 mcg;
• 6-10 years – 150 mcg;
• From 11 years of age and older, you can give an adult dose of 200 mcg.

Sources of Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Products containing the maximum amount of the beneficial substance indicated above are easy to determine - they are all dark green in color; nothing new has been discovered in this regard since time. It is worth consuming them every day to improve health, including mental health, as well as to increase stamina.

The list is quite extensive, so creating the “correct” menu will not be difficult. Let's start in order:

An interesting fact: village milk contains a lot of vitamin B9, but store-bought pasteurized and sterilized milk contains not a gram.

Lack of vitamin B9 (folic acid)

A lack of vitamin B9 can cause serious damage to all functions of the human body. First of all, it will affect cell growth, which in turn will cause the growth of cancer cells, mental retardation in children, and disrupt the functioning of the central nervous system and hematopoietic processes.

Signs of a lack of folic acid in the body: depressed restless state, feeling of fear, problems with memory, digestion, anemia, “red tongue” - stomatitis in the oral cavity, early gray hair, problems during pregnancy. Human activity decreases significantly. Aggression or irritability appears, which can later develop into mania and paranoia. It is necessary to recognize these symptoms, otherwise folic acid deficiency will lead to more serious complications, such as nervous disorders, early menopause or problems with puberty in girls, atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.

Folic acid prevents the occurrence of skin diseases and hair problems, and therefore you understand what its deficiency can lead to!

Vitamin B9 is quickly consumed by people leading an active lifestyle and beach lovers under the sun. They are recommended to take additional doses of folic acid in order to avoid a significant lack of it in the body.

Excess vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Hypervitaminosis is observed extremely rarely; it is unrealistic to obtain such an amount from foods, therefore it is only possible by taking pharmacological forms of folic acid for several months. This leads to overexcitability, sleep disturbances and intestinal disorders.

An excess of folic acid in pregnant women can manifest itself in the newborn as asthma.

Indications for use

Indications for the use of vitamin B9 include:

Contents in pharmaceutical preparations

Folic acid is produced as a separate drug, sometimes in a complex of all B vitamins. It can be an integral part of multivitamin preparations, which contain a balanced complex.

Synthetic forms of folic acid are almost 2 times more active than natural ones. 600 mcg in tablets is equivalent to 1000 mcg of the substance from food.