Folic acid is the synthetic form of the B vitamin folate, naturally found in many fruits and vegetables. Your body can absorb folic acid more easily than folate, making it a better choice for dietary supplements. Foods fortified with B vitamins also contain folic acid for this reason. While generally safe, this supplement, like many others, may cause side effects and may inappropriate to use in specific circumstances. If you believe taking folic acid will address a particular health concern, talk to your doctor first about the potential risks and the appropriate dose.
Side Effects
Folic acid side effects are rare, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Possible adverse reactions include stomach upset, sleep disturbances, seizures and allergic reactions.
Masking a B-12 Deficiency
Taking folic acid supplements might help correct some issues that result from a B-12 deficiency, leaving you unaware you have low levels. They cannot correct all of them, however, and a prolonged B-12 deficiency may result in serious issues like irreversible damage to the nervous system. Before taking folic acid, have your doctor check your B-12 levels to determine if you require this supplement as well. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements notes that people over 50, in particular, should not start taking folic acid without their doctor check their B-12 status. You are much more likely to have a deficiency at this stage of life.
Medication Interactions
Folic acid might interfere with the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics; take these treatments at least two hours apart. Folic acid might decrease the effectiveness of anti-seizure medications, the anti-fungal drug pyrimethamine, the antibiotic trimethoprim used to treat urinary tract nd other types of infections, and methotrexate, an anti-inflammatory medication often used to treat cancer, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Reduced Zinc Absorption
The University of Michigan Health System reports prolonged supplementation with higher amounts of folic acid might interfere with zinc absorption. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take a zinc supplement and at what dose. Do not start supplementing with it on your own as excess levels could cause various health problems.
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