Folic Acid

The label describes folic acid for treating megaloblastic anaemias due to folic acid deficiency, such as in tropical or non-tropical sprue.

It also covers anaemias of nutritional origin, or those linked to pregnancy, infancy or childhood.

• Megaloblastic anaemia from folic acid deficiency
• Nutritional anaemia
• Anaemia of pregnancy, infancy or childhood

The label we reviewed does not describe how folic acid works.

This page covers only the product form taken by mouth (adult+paediatric label). Other forms sold in India exist, and the prescriber decides which one you use.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

The label says oral administration is preferred. The usual treatment dose in adults and children of any age is up to 1 mg daily. Resistant cases may need more.

The label says doses above 0.1 mg should not be used unless vitamin B12 deficiency has been ruled out or is being treated. Daily doses over 1 mg add no extra blood benefit.

After blood counts normalise, the label describes maintenance doses: 0.1 mg for infants, up to 0.3 mg for children under 4, 0.4 mg for adults and older children, and 0.8 mg in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

• Up to 1 mg daily for treatment
• Maintenance doses are lower, by age
• 0.8 mg in pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Rule out B12 deficiency first

The label says it is contraindicated in people who previously could not tolerate it.

Folic acid alone is improper treatment for pernicious anaemia. Doses over 0.1 mg daily may hide it while nerve damage keeps progressing.

In pregnancy, the label says it is usually indicated for megaloblastic anaemia of pregnancy but should be used only if clearly needed. It is excreted in breast milk.

• Do not use alone for pernicious anaemia
• May hide vitamin B12 deficiency
• Previous intolerance
• Needs supervision during treatment

• Phenytoin
• Methotrexate and pyrimethamine
• Anticonvulsants
• Tetracycline (affects tests)
• The label says folic acid can reduce the action of phenytoin, so seizure control may need higher doses.
• It also notes folate deficiency from methotrexate, pyrimethamine, nitrofurantoin, anticonvulsants and alcohol, and that tetracycline can falsely lower folate test results.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.

The label also says to keep the container tightly closed.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

We did not find folic acid in the Drugs Rules 1945 Schedule H, H1, X or G rows we checked, so we cannot state its Indian prescription status from our lists. Ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Folic Acid is on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022. Listed forms include: Tablet 1 mg (page 86); Tablet 5 mg (page 86).

NPPA lists ceiling prices for scheduled folic acid formulations. The table shows the rows we found. Check NPPA directly for the current list.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 2 product rows that mention folic acid. We did not capture prices for them.

The banned fixed-dose combination list we checked has 7 entries that mention folic acid. This does not mean the single medicine is banned. Use our checker for a specific combination.

NPPA ceiling prices set the most a seller can charge per unit for the listed formulations, before local taxes. They are ceilings, not the price you will always pay.

Jan Aushadhi lists folic acid products including Folic Acid Tablets IP 5 mg 5 mg; Folic Acid 15mg, Cyanocobalamine 500mcg and Nicotinamide 200mg Injection 15mg,. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.