Fa-8

Fa-8 is part of the drug class:

• Folic acid and derivatives

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain folic acid. It may not be specific to FA-8. Please read with care.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes:
    For the U.S.
    • Adult and teenage males—150 to 400 micrograms (mcg) per day.
    • Adult and teenage females—150 to 400 mcg per day.
    • Pregnant females—400 to 800 mcg per day.
    • Breast-feeding females—260 to 800 mcg per day.
    • Children 7 to 10 years of age—100 to 400 mcg per day.
    • Children 4 to 6 years of age—75 to 400 mcg per day.
    • Children birth to 3 years of age—25 to 100 mcg per day.
    For Canada
    • Adult and teenage males—150 to 220 mcg per day.
    • Adult and teenage females—145 to 190 mcg per day.
    • Pregnant females—445 to 475 mcg per day.
    • Breast-feeding females—245 to 275 mcg per day.
    • Children 7 to 10 years of age—125 to 180 mcg per day.
    • Children 4 to 6 years of age—90 mcg per day.
    • Children birth to 3 years of age—50 to 80 mcg per day.
  • To treat deficiency:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children—Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on the severity of deficiency.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the dietary supplement in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Fever
• general weakness or discomfort
• reddened skin
• shortness of breath
• skin rash or itching
• tightness in chest
• troubled breathing
• wheezing

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• It is used to help with some kinds of anemia.
• This vitamin is used to aid the diet needs before, during, and after pregnancy.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
400 mcg daily, orally, intramuscularly, IV, or subcutaneously

Pregnancy: 600 mcg daily
Lactation: 500 mcg daily

Usual therapeutic dose: 1 mg daily, orally, intramuscularly, IV, or subcutaneously
-Resistant cases may require larger doses

Maintenance dose:
-Infants: 0.1 mg daily
-Children under 4 years: 0.3 mg daily
-Children 4 years and older: 0.4 mg daily
Minimum dose: 0.1 mg daily

Comments:
-Oral administration is preferred; patients who cannot absorb food folates are usually able to absorb oral folic acid.
-Do not use doses greater than 0.1 mg unless B12 deficiency anemia has been ruled out or is being adequately treated.
-Closely supervise patients; adjust maintenance dose if relapse appears imminent.
-Maintenance level may need to be increased for alcoholism, hemolytic anemia, anticonvulsant therapy, or chronic infection.

Uses: Megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency (e.g. sprue) and anemias of nutritional origin, infancy, or childhood

Data not available

Use is considered acceptable. Excreted into human milk: Yes Comments: -Folic acid is actively secreted in breast milk. -Folate accumulation in milk takes precedent over maternal needs. -Folic acid levels in colostrum are low, but rise with continued lactation. -Supplementation may not be needed if nutritional habits are good; poor nutritional habits may lead to maternal deficiency and megaloblastic anemia. -The National Academy of Sciences recommends 0.28 mg per day of folic acid for lactating women; supplementation is recommended if dietary intake is inadequate. -The American Academy of Pediatrics considers folic acid compatible with breast feeding. -No adverse effects have been seen in breastfed infants of women receiving folic acid.