FOLICUM 5/MG TAB 20/TAB

Benefits & Uses

Primary Benefit

Supports healthy cell growth and division, and helps prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine.

Health Claims

Contributes to normal red blood cell formation; supports DNA synthesis and cell division; reduces risk of neural tube defects when taken periconceptionally; lowers elevated homocysteine levels

Common Deficiency Symptoms

Megaloblastic anemia, fatigue, weakness, mouth sores, neural tube defects in newborns, elevated homocysteine levels, cognitive impairment

Target Population

Women of childbearing age and pregnant women, individuals with folate deficiency or megaloblastic anemia, patients on antifolate medications, people with malabsorption syndromes

Scientific Evidence Level

Strong

Onset Timeline

Folate blood levels increase within 1-2 weeks; megaloblastic anemia improvement seen within 4-8 weeks of therapy; neural tube defect prevention requires supplementation at least 1 month before conception

Usage & Dosage

Suggested Use

Take 1 tablet daily, or as directed by a physician

Serving Size

1 tablet

Servings Per Container

20

Recommended Daily Intake

Adults: 400mcg/day; Pregnant women: 400-800mcg/day (therapeutic doses of 5mg prescribed for high-risk cases or deficiency treatment)

Upper Tolerable Limit

1000mcg (1mg)/day of synthetic folic acid for adults (this product contains 5mg and is a therapeutic dose requiring medical supervision)

Absorption Enhancers

Vitamin C may support folate stability; adequate vitamin B12 is required for folate to function properly in the methylation cycle

Absorption Inhibitors

Antacids and cholestyramine may reduce absorption; alcohol impairs folate absorption and metabolism; cooking destroys natural folate in food

Side Effects

Possible Side Effects

Generally well-tolerated; high doses may rarely cause nausea, bloating, bitter taste, sleep disturbances, or allergic skin reactions

Toxicity Risk

Low

Upper Tolerable Limit

1000mcg (1mg)/day of synthetic folic acid for adults (this product contains 5mg and is a therapeutic dose requiring medical supervision)

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to folic acid or any excipients; folic acid is contraindicated as sole therapy in untreated/undiagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency (e.g., pernicious anemia) or other megaloblastic anemia where B12 deficiency has not been excluded.

Pregnancy Safety

Safe

Breastfeeding Safety

Safe

Children Suitability

The 5mg dose is a high, therapeutic dose typically for adults with deficiency or specific medical conditions; consult a doctor for pediatric use.

Interactions

Medication Interactions

May mask vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms; reduces efficacy of methotrexate (used in cancer and rheumatoid arthritis); phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine reduce folate levels; sulfasalazine and trimethoprim impair folate metabolism

Supplement Interactions

High-dose zinc may impair folate absorption; vitamin B12 must be adequate for folic acid to function correctly - supplementing folic acid without B12 can mask B12 deficiency

Synergistic Nutrients

Vitamin B12 (essential for folate metabolism), Vitamin B6 (homocysteine reduction), Iron (red blood cell production), Zinc (DNA synthesis)

Special Populations

Target Population

Women of childbearing age and pregnant women, individuals with folate deficiency or megaloblastic anemia, patients on antifolate medications, people with malabsorption syndromes

Children Suitability

The 5mg dose is a high, therapeutic dose typically for adults with deficiency or specific medical conditions; consult a doctor for pediatric use.

Pregnancy Safety

Safe

Breastfeeding Safety

Safe

Storage & Patient Advice

SFDA Storage Conditions

Store below 30°C , Protect from light and moisture

Patient Counseling

Oral folic acid 5 mg tablet (therapeutic dose): take only as directed by a clinician for confirmed/suspected folate deficiency or specific indications (e.g., high-risk pregnancy). Do not self-treat anemia; rule out vitamin B12 deficiency before starting and during prolonged use because folic acid can correct hematologic findings while allowing neurologic damage from B12 deficiency to progress. For pregnancy prevention of neural tube defects, folic acid should be started before conception (at least 1 month prior) and continued through early pregnancy; routine prophylaxis is usually 0.4 mg/day, while 5 mg/day is reserved for higher-risk situations per clinician. Store below 30°C and protect from light and moisture.

Science & Evidence

Bioavailability Form

Folic acid (synthetic form of folate) - approximately 85% bioavailable when taken without food, nearly 100% bioavailable when taken with food, compared to ~50% for food folate

Water or Fat Soluble

Water-soluble

Scientific Evidence Level

Strong

Onset Timeline

Folate blood levels increase within 1-2 weeks; megaloblastic anemia improvement seen within 4-8 weeks of therapy; neural tube defect prevention requires supplementation at least 1 month before conception

Food Sources

Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale), legumes (lentils, chickpeas), asparagus, broccoli, avocado, fortified cereals, liver, eggs

Product Information

Supplement Type

Vitamin

Certification

SFDA registered; manufactured by Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar) under GMP standards

Multivitamin Target

Single Nutrient

Nutrient Count

1