Folic Acid

DRUG INFORMATION

  ADULT
    - Doses greater than 0.1 mg should not be used unless anemia due to vitamin B 12
      deficiency has been ruled out or is being adequately treated with a cobalamin.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - Daily doses greater than 1 mg do not enhance the hematologic effect, and most of
      the excess is excreted unchanged in the urine.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - The usual therapeutic dosage in adults and children (regardless of age) is up to 1
      mg daily.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29

  CHILD
    - 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).
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - The usual therapeutic dosage in adults and children (regardless of age) is up to 1
      mg daily.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29
    - 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.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'dosage and
      administration', retrieved 2026-08-29

  RENAL IMPAIRMENT
    - No kidney-impairment dose in this label. Not a statement that none is needed.
      Source: Read and found silent: the US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID),
      retrieved 2026-08-29

  HEPATIC IMPAIRMENT
    - No liver-impairment dose in this label. Not a statement that none is needed.
      Source: Read and found silent: the US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID),
      retrieved 2026-08-29

  PREGNANCY
    - Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category A Folic acid is usually indicated in the
      treatment of megaloblastic anemias of pregnancy.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'pregnancy', retrieved
      2026-08-29
    - Folic acid requirements are markedly increased during pregnancy, and deficiency
      will result in fetal damage (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ).
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'pregnancy', retrieved
      2026-08-29
    - Studies in pregnant women have not shown that folic acid increases the risk of
      fetal abnormalities if administered during pregnancy.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'pregnancy', retrieved
      2026-08-29

  BREASTFEEDING
    - Folic acid is excreted in the milk of lactating mothers.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'nursing mothers',
      retrieved 2026-08-29
    - During lactation, folic acid requirements are markedly increased; however, amounts
      present in human milk are adequate to fulfill infant requirements, although
      supplementation may be needed in low- birth- weight infants, in those who are
      breast-fed by mothers with folic acid deficiency (50 mcg daily), or in those with
      infections or prolonged diarrhea.
      Source: US FDA label for folic acid (FOLIC ACID), section 'nursing mothers',
      retrieved 2026-08-29