Folimax

Folic Acid (FOLIMAX) 5 mg Tablet is a red, round, biconvex, film-coated tablet, plain on both sides.
Each tablet contains: Folic Acid 5 mg.

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid) in its reduced form of tetrahydrofolate serves as an important mediator in many reactions involving one-carbon transfers. Important reaction involves the conversion of homocysteine to methionine and of deoxyuridylate to thymidylate, an important step in DNA synthesis. It is also implicated in the conversion of some amino acids, and in the synthesis and utilization of formate. The deficiency of folic acid can lead to megaloblastic anemia, which develops when dietary intake of folic acid is inadequate, such as megaloblastic changes in the bone marrow of several infants with severe diarrhea, malnutrition and other infections; low birth weight and elevated homocysteine level in conditions such as in infants and children with chronic renal failure and heart disease; in reducing the prevalence and severity of neural tube defects in preconception and periconception.
Pharmacokinetics: It is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, mainly from the duodenum and jejunum. Dietary folates have about half the bioavailability of crystalline folic acid. Naturally occurring folate polyglutamates are largely deconjugated and reduced by dihydrofolate reductase in the intestines to form 5-methyltetrahydrofolate which appears in the portal circulation, where it is extensively bound to plasma proteins. Folic Acid administered therapeutically enters the portal circulation largely unchanged since it is a poor substrate for reduction by dihydrofolate reductase. It is converted to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the plasma and liver. Folate undergoes enterohepatic circulation. Folate metabolites are eliminated in the urine and folate in excess of body requirements is excreted unchanged in the urine. Folate is distributed into breast milk. Folic acid is removed through haemodialysis.

Folic Acid is indicated in the treatment and prevention of folate deficiency state. It is also used in women of child-bearing potential and pregnant women to protect against neural tube defects in their offspring.

For the treatment of folate-deficient megaloblastic anemia: 5 mg or 1 tablet daily for 4 months; up to 15 mg or 3 tablets daily in malabsorption states. Continued administration of 5 mg folic acid every 1 to 7 days may be necessary in chronic haemolytic state depending on the diet and rate of haemolysis.
For prevention of neural tube in the offspring of pregnant women and women with child-bearing potential: 5 mg or 1 tablet daily starting before pregnancy and continued through the first trimester or as prescribed by the physician.

Megaloblastic anemia secondary to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. Folic acid administration may produce hematologic remission while neurologic damage progresses. Folic acid should not be given before a diagnosis has been fully established. Large and continuous doses of folic acid may lower the blood concentration of vitamin B₁₂.

Folic Acid should never be given alone or in conjunction with inadequate amounts of vitamin B₁₂ for the treatment of undiagnosed megaloblastic anemia, since folic acid may produce a haematopoietic response in patients with megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B₁₂ deficiency without preventing aggravation of neurological symptoms.

Folic Acid is excreted into breast milk. No adverse effects have been observed in breastfed infants whose mothers were receiving folic acid.

Folic acid is generally well tolerated. Gastrointestinal disturbances and hypersensitivity reactions have been reported rarely.

Folate deficiency states may be produced by a number of drugs including antiepileptics, oral contraceptives, antituberculous drugs, alcohol and folic acid antagonists such as aminopterin, methotrexate, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim and sulfonamides.

Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°C. Protect from light.

Vitamins & Minerals (Pre & Post Natal) / Antianemics

B03BB01 - folic acid ; Belongs to the class of folic acid and derivatives. Used in the treatment of anemia.

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