INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take this medicine. It gives an outline of the more important things you should know. If you want to know more about this medicine, or you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You should keep this leaflet throughout your course of treatment.

THE NAME OF YOUR MEDICINE IS FOLIC ACID TABLETS BP 5MG

Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg contain the active ingredient Folic Acid BP 5mg. The tablet comes in one strength, 5mg.

Other ingredients in your tablet are lactose, maize starch, acacia spray-dried, magnesium stearate and stearic acid.

Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg are plain yellow, biconvex tablets with breakline on one face and CP on the reverse.

Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg are available in polypropylene or polyethylene tablet containers containing 100, 500 or 1000 tablets, glass bottles containing 100, 500 or 1000 tablets and blister packs containing 28 tablets.

HOW DOES YOUR MEDICINE WORK ?

Folic acid is a vitamin used to prevent or treat a deficiency (lack ) of folic acid in the body.

WHAT ARE FOLIC ACID TABLETS BP 5MG FOR?

Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg are used in adults and children for the treatment and prevention of folic acid deficiency which causes anaemia. This tends to occur in pregnancy, in patients on kidney dialysis and during treatment with some medicines.

Folic acid is also given to some women before and during pregnancy to prevent spina bifida (an abnormality of the spine) in babies, which can be caused by deficiency of this vitamin.

BEFORE TAKING THIS MEDICINE

You should not take Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg if you have ever had a reaction to or been told that you are allergic to folic acid or any of the other ingredients in the tablet. Check by reading the list of ingredients above.

Before taking this medicine, you should let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or wish to become pregnant or start breast-feeding.

 

Taking another medicine while you are taking folic acid can affect how it or the other medicine works. Make sure that your doctor knows what other medicines you are taking. Do not take any other medicines while you are taking Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg unless you have told your doctor or pharmacist and asked their advice. This includes medicines you may have bought yourself.

Examples of medicines that can affect Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg are;

• Certain antibiotics (trimethoprim and sulphonamides, sometimes combined as co-trimoxazole).
• Some drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy (phenytoin, phenobarbitone (phenobarbital) and primidone).
• Fluorouracil, a drug used to treat certain tumours.
• Some indigestion remedies (edible clay and antacids containing aluminium or magnesium). Allow at least a 2 hour gap between taking your Folic Acid Tablets and indigestion remedies.
• Preparations containing zinc such as vitamins or food supplements (this may be important in pregnancy).

If you have any doubts about whether you should take this medicine then talk to your doctor.

TAKING THIS MEDICINE

In adults and children over one year, the usual dose of Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg is one tablet a day for the treatment of anaemia or one tablet every one to seven days for the prevention of anaemia.

Children under one year should be given 500 micrograms per kilogram of body weight daily.

The usual dose for the prevention of spina bifida is one tablet a day, starting before conception and continuing for the first three months of pregnancy.

To obtain a tablet, press on the tablet from the blister (or bubble) side, pushing it through the foil. Do not remove the tablet from the blister until you are ready to take it.

Your doctor will decide the dose that is best for you. Always follow your doctor's instructions completely. Also, follow any instructions or warnings that appear on the label that the pharmacist may put on the pack. If you do not understand, or are in any doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Unless told otherwise, take your tablet with water.

You should take your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to. If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, then do not take the missed dose at all. Never double the next dose to make up for the one missed. Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first.

If you accidentally take too many tablets you should contact your doctor, pharmacist or nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take this leaflet and any tablets you have left to show the doctor or pharmacist.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE-EFFECTS?

Like many medicines Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg may cause side-effects in some patients, particularly when you first start taking them. The side-effects that some other patients have had with Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg include loss of appetite, feeling sick, bloating of the stomach and wind. Allergic reactions are rare.

If you experience any other side-effects or feel that the medicine is affecting you badly, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

SAFE KEEPING FOR THIS MEDICINE

Do not take this medicine if the expiry date on the label has passed or if the tablets show signs of "going off" such as discoloration.

These tablets should not be stored above 25°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from light. Do not transfer Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg to another container.

Keep Folic Acid Tablets BP 5mg in a secure place where children cannot get at them.

Remember this medicine is for you only. Never give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

Unless your doctor tells you to, do not keep medicines that you no longer need. Give them back to your pharmacist.