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When taken by mouth: Folic acid is LIKELY SAFE for most people. Most adults do not experience any side effects when taking doses of less than 1 mg daily.
Folic acid is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large doses, long-term. Although doses up to 5 mg daily have been safely used in some research, doses of folic acid greater than 1 mg daily might cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, rash, sleep disorders, irritability, confusion, nausea, stomach upset, behavior changes, skin reactions, seizures, gas, excitability, and other side effects.
There is also some concern that taking too much folic acid for a long period of time might cause serious side effects. Some research suggests that taking folic acid in doses of 800 mcg to 1.2 mg daily might increase the risk of heart attack in people who have heart problems. Other research suggests that taking these high doses might also increase the risk of cancer such as lung or prostate cancer.
When given as a shot: Folic acid is LIKELY SAFE for most people when injected into the body. Most adults do not experience any side effects when used in doses less than 1 mg daily.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Folic acid is
LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately when pregnant or breast-feeing. Taking 300-400 mcg of folic acid daily is commonly used during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. The maximum recommended amount of folic acid for pregnant or breast-feeding women is 800 mcg per day for women under 18 years of age and 1000 mcg per day for women over 18 years of age.
Children: Folic acid is
LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in the recommended amounts for each age group. But children should avoid taking doses of folic acid above the daily upper limits, which are 300 mcg for children 1-3 years of age, 400 mcg for children 4-8 years of age, 600 mg for children 9-13 years of age, and 800 mcg for children 14-18 years of age (6243).
Procedures to widen narrowed arteries (angioplasty): Using folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 intravenously (by IV) or by mouth might worsen narrowed arteries. Folic acid should not be used by people recovering from this procedure.
Cancer: Early research suggests that taking 800 mcg to 1 mg of folic acid daily might increase the risk of cancer. Until more is known, people with a history of cancer should avoid high doses of folic acid.
Heart disease: Early research suggests that taking folic acid plus vitamin B6 might increase the risk for heart attack in people with a history of heart disease.
Malaria: Early research suggests that taking folic acid plus iron might increase the risk of death or need for treatment in hospital in areas of the world where malaria is common.
Anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency: Taking folic acid might mask anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency and delay appropriate treatment.
Seizure disorder: Taking folic acid supplements might make seizures worse in people with seizure disorders, particularly in high doses.
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