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.
Prenatal Vitamin No 53 Iron Fum Folic Acid Docusate CA DHA
Vp-pnv-dha
Formula Gly
Pregnancy Multivitamin Folic 5
Zatean-Pn DHA
Folic Acid
Complete Multivitamins and Minerals for Children
FolaPrime
Tricon
For-2
OB Complete DHA
B-complex Tablets
Iron
ProFola
Focalgin B
WesNatal DHA Complete
Isotonix Vitamin B-folic Acid-mineral Supple
CitraNatal Rx
B Complex Tablets
Folic Acid Capsules 1mg
Bal-Care DHA Essential
Neonatal Vitamin
Prenate Star
Rogenic
Stressmates
Twin G.F. Powder
Children's Chewable Tab
Orifer F
PramLyte
NovaFerrum
Stress B Complex With C,e, Zinc and Copper
Multi-force for Adults Tab
Prenatabs FA
Multivitamins and Minerals - Complete
Vitafol Nano
CitraNatal DHA
PNV-Select
WesCaps
Vitafol Plus
Quflora Gummies
For Kids Only Chewable Multivitamins - Tab
KeyFolic
One Per Day Vitamin and Mineral Dietary Supplement
O-Cal Prenatal Vitamin
FerraPlus 90
Adult Infuvite Multiple Vitamins
Chewable Multiple Vitamins Plus Extra C
Inatal Advance
Ortho D
MagneBind 400 Rx
Hi Potency Balanced B-100 Complex - Tab
Ultra Hr
Neonatal19
RESTORA Sprinkles
Se-Care Chewable
Vitafol-OB Plus DHA Prenatal Supplement Plus DHA
Vitranol
Vol-Plus
Zavara
Dexifol
Nexa Plus
Vitamin B Complex 50
Reebok
Zatean-CH
Vitachrom Gc
Folvite Tab 5mg
B-Nexa
Stress Formula Vit B With C Complex
Sodium polysulthionate and folic acid
Pnv-OB-dha
Timed Release B Complex 100 Srt
OB Complete Prenatal
Keylosa
Multiple Vitamins Tab
Vinacal
Tricare Prenatal DHA One
Multi-12/k1 Pediatric
Cavan X
Folic Acid 0.4mg Dietary Supplement
Balanced B100
SetonET-EC
Acide Folique 5 Tab
Complete Natal DHA
Vitamin B Complex Tab
Iron With Vitamins Tab
Mega 13 Multivitamin Formula
For Men
N.U.T. Complex
HemeNatal OB
Multipack II
FUSION Sprinkles
Ez-flex
Vitafol Caplet
Vitamin B12 Plus Tablets W Folic Acid
C.R.D.-force
DaVITE
High Potency Multivitamins & Minerals Caplets
PR Natal 430
Ribotin-E
Complex-75
Jenliva
PR Natal 400
Extra-Virt Plus DHA
Niva-Fol
Ferrex 150 Forte Plus
Supplement De Vitamines Et Mineraux
Children's Chewable Multivitamin and Multimineral
Daily Supplement Packs
For Kids Only Chewable Multivit. Plus Iron
M.V.I. 12
Maintain Multiple Vitamin & Minerals
Materna
Ocuvel
Folite
Stress Forte Plus Lipotropic Factors
Tozal
Mega Capsules
Extra P.N. Vitamin-mineral Drink Mix
FolaGent DHA
Docosavit
Polymine Avec Zinc Et Cuivre
Pre-Tabs DHA Prenatal Multi-vitamin/Mineral Supplement with DHA/EPA
SetonET
Folcaps Omega-3
L.C. Supplement
VemaVite-PRx 2 with Fish-Based DHA
Foltrexyl
Prenavite Tablets
Reno Caps
Wellness Formula
Viva CT Prenatal
Iron, Vit & Min Supp
Multi Vitamins & Minerals
Strovite One Caplets
Swiss One Multivitamin and Mineral Caplet
TL Gard Rx
Integra Plus
Multivitamins and Minerals for Young Men
K.L. Vitamin-mineral
RediChew
PureFe OB Plus
Stresstabs + Zinc-copper
Children's Vitamins W Iron Chewable
Vyqua
Nu-folic
CitraNatal Harmony
Hill.vite
Hemocyte Plus
Soluvit N
Cedevita Sugar-free Vitamin Supplement
Lorid
A/o-26 - Caplet
Multi-force for Women Tab
B-complex With Vitamin C, Biotin, Folic Acid
Vyo Cylate - Pwr
Prenatvite Plus
Corvita 150
Feminex 300 Tab
Vitafol Fe Plus
UltimateCare ONE NF
PreNatal 19
Tulivite
Mega Balance
Neonatal DHA
Multivitamins for Children
Irospan 24/6
Multi II IV Vi Tab
Vita-B
Multivitamines Pour Enfants (chewable Tablets)
Vitafol Ultra
Multivitamine
Nicadan
Dayavite
Osteo Formula
Tricare Prenatal DHA One Rx Multivitamin
B-50 Hi Potency B Vitamins Tab
Multi Plex II - Tab
Multi-Nate 30
Hi Potency B52 B Complex Tab
Natal PNV
Tobakient
Moms Choice Rx
Zolate
Folivane-PRx DHA
Virt-Care One
Corvite 150
Nutrifer Plus Tablets
Calcium Folic Acid Plus D Chewable
RenaPlex-D
Natalvirt FLT
L.I.P. Complex
Formula D.S.
50 Plus Multiple Vitamins & Minerals
Formula Int
Tar-end
Cifrazol
Homosismin
Integra F
Folvite Inj 5mg/ml
Master Key Multi Vitamin Multi Mineral Formula 2
Q.T. Vitamin and Mineral Drink Mix
Se-Natal 19 Chewable
Trinatal Ultra
ahoSAN
Childrens Chewable Multiple Vitamins Plus Fe
Pregvit
PreGenna
M.V.I. Adult
Iron Vitamins B6,b12,c,folic Acid Tab
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
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
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