Folic acid, also known as folate or Vitamin B9, is a member of the B vitamin family and an essential cofactor for enzymes involved in DNA and RNA synthesis. More specifically, folic acid is required by the body for the synthesis of purines, pyrimidines, and methionine before incorporation into DNA or protein. Folic acid is particularly important during phases of rapid cell division, such as infancy, pregnancy, and erythropoiesis, and plays a protective factor in the development of cancer. As humans are unable to synthesize folic acid endogenously, diet and supplementation is necessary to prevent deficiencies. For example, folic acid is present in green vegetables, beans, avocado, and some fruits.[L5744] In order to function within the body, folic acid must first be reduced by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) into the cofactors dihydrofolate (DHF) and tetrahydrofolate (THF). This important pathway, which is required for de novo synthesis of nucleic acids and amino acids, is disrupted by anti-metabolite therapies such as [DB00563] as they function as DHFR inhibitors to prevent DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells, and therefore prevent the formation of DHF and THF. When used in high doses such as for cancer therapy, or in low doses such as for Rheumatoid Arthritis or psoriasis, [DB00563] impedes the body's ability to create folic acid. This results in a deficiency of coenzymes and a resultant buildup of toxic substances that are responsible for numerous adverse side effects. As a result, supplementation with 1-5mg of folic acid is recommended to prevent deficiency and a number of side effects associated with MTX therapy including mouth ulcers and gastrointestinal irritation. [DB00650] (also known as folinic acid) supplementation is typically used for high-dose MTX regimens for the treatment of cancer. Levoleucovorin and leucovorin are analogs of tetrahydrofolate (THF) and are able to bypass DHFR reduction to act as a cellular replacement for the co-factor THF. There are also several antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that are associated with reduced serum and red blood cell folate, including [DB00564] (CBZ), [DB00252] (PHT), or barbiturates.[A37004] Folic acid is therefore often provided as supplementation to individuals using these medications, particularly to women of child-bearing age. Inadequate folate levels can result in a number of health concerns including cardiovascular disease, megaloblastic anemias, cognitive deficiencies, and neural tube defects (NTDs). Folic acid is typically supplemented during pregnancy to prevent the development of NTDs and in individuals with alcoholism to prevent the development of neurological disorders, for example.
Children's Chewable Multiple Vitamins With Iron Tablets (chewable Tablets)
Oveeza
Multivitamin & Minerals (iron Free)
Vp-heme Ob
Folditam
HemeNatal OB plus DHA
Multi Plex II - Tab
Vitalife - Capsule
C-Nate DHA
CyFolex
Preplus
CitraNatal Bloom
Potassium W Folic Acid Tab
Vita-B-75 Cap
Feminex 300 Tab
Ultimate Tab
Viva Kids - Tab
Card-floe II Tab
One A Day Multiple Vit W Minerals
Foltx
Mega Vitaminerals
tensioSAN
Cedevita Plus Vitamin Supplement
Trinaz
Prenatal Plus Iron
V & M Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
Formula O-care Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
Balanced B-50 B-complex Vitamins, Timed Rele
CitraNatal Harmony
Multivitamins and Minerals - Complete
SetonET
Acti-folic + Dibencozide Caplets
Sopalamine/3b Plus C
Trinatal Ultra
Cardiotek-RX
Complete Multivitamins and Minerals Tablets Timed Release
Childrens Chewab Vitamin W Chel Minerals
Diaplex
50 Plus
Florafol FE Pediatric 0.25 mg/mL Multivitamin and Fluoride Liquid Drops
Av-VITE FB Forte
Ferrex 150 Forte
Fib-C Melts
Stress Formula + Iron
Prenate Star
Zingiber
WesTab Mini
Bseltzer
Timed Release B-complex 100
Genicin Vita-D
Active FE
PNV-Omega
Twin Opti Pwr
Leritone Antistress
Dexatran
Spark Cap
Am Caps
Vimeral Tab
Xyzmune
Zyvit
Folic Acid 0.8mg
Hylazinc
Materna
Timed Release B Complex 100 Srt
Quflora Pediatric
Vitogen B Stress C Vit E Zinc & Cop
Folic Acid Tablets 5mg
Children's Chewable Multi Vitamins With Iron Tablets
Folixapure
Formula U - Tab
Childrens Chewable Vitamins
Folgard
Multiple Vitamins & Minerals Tablets
Niva-Plus
Ocuvel
Daily Balance Tab
Chewable Multiple Vitamins for Children
Folic Acid
Integra F
Venexa FE
Hematogen FA
Zatean-Pn Plus
Chela Iron Plus C,b Complex
PM Caps
Xyzbac
Taliment
ahoSAN
Folic Acid 0.4 Mg Tablet
Mvc 9 Plus 3 Inj
NephPlex Rx
RenaPlex
PrePLUS
V-Natal
B-Nexa
Maxine Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
WesCap-C-DHA
Folic Acid Inj 5mg/ml USP
Formula D.S.
For-2
Fortamines 10 Capsules
Neonatal Fe
Folcyteine
Multi-force for Women Tab
Multivitamines Plus Fer Pour Enfants (chewable Tablets)
Niaacinamide Azelaic AC TURMER FA B6 Zinc Ox Copper
Nutrol-B-complex
Chewable Multiple Vit Plus Iron for Children
Children's Chewable Multi Vit W Iron
Prenatvite Plus
Vyqua
Vyo Cylate - Pwr
Vp-pnv-dha
FeRiva FA
Ferotrin
Iron Vitamins B6,b12,c,folic Acid Tab
NEONATAL Complete
CompleteNate Chewable
Vitaplex
Vp-CH-pnv
Tricare Prenatal Compleat
MYNEPHROCAPS DIALYSIS/STRESS Vitamin Supplement
FolaMed DHA
Vitachrom Gc
24 Multivitamins + Minerals
Complete Natal DHA
NataChew
Super Vita Vim Multivitamins and Minerals
Children's Chewable Multi Vitamins
Bugs Bunny Chew Multi Vit Plus Iron
Virt-Nate
Pregnancy Multivitamin Folic 5
C.R.D.-force
Folic Acid Injection USP
Vit-HA Multi Vitamin and Zinc Supplement
Viva CT Prenatal
Triveen-Duo DHA
Ply Vi Sol Chewable Tab
Multi-vitamins
Ciferex
Hsn Formula
Folika-NC
Vita-B
Feonyx
Citranatal B-calm
Folic Acid 1 Mg - Tablet
PNV-First
Avon Vitadvance Multi-kids Complete
Mega Balance
Mr. Tumee Multi-vitamin
Pnv-VP-U
Multitabs
Se-Vate 21/7
Vitafol Ultra
Iron Plus Tab
Ultimate OB DHA
Tandem Plus
Prenara
Sandoz Folic Acid
Zatean-Pn
Folika-V
Choice OB DHA
Maximum Once A Day
Osteo-force
PR Natal 430 ec
Vitafol Plus
Sopalamine 3b Plus
Folic Acid 1 mg
Imubolic
DermacinRx Purefoltin
Omega-3 Rx Complete
Cavan Prenatal
Florafol Pediatric 0.25 mg/mL Multivitamin and Fluoride Liquid Drops
DuetDHA Complete
Fibrik
Nephron FA
Vitafol Fe Plus
DermacinRx PureFolix
Indication
Folic acid is indicated for the treatment of folic acid deficiency, megaloblastic anemia, and in anemias of nutritional origins, pregnancy, infancy, or childhood.
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
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