Taking folic acid is important for the normal development of the nerves and nervous system of the fetus and also helps in the formation of blood cells.
Folic acid is mainly used for all kinds of folic acid deficiency as well as megaloblastic anemia due to folic acid deficiency and chronic hemolytic anemia due to folic acid deficiency. It is also used as a prophylactic medicine for women during pregnancy and lactation. Taken during pregnancy, it prevents fetal neural tube malformations and helps normal brain development. It can be used during lactation to prevent folic acid deficiency due to nutritional deficiencies such as anemia.
Long-term use of the drug may cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, fear of food, abdominal distension. It may also interfere with the absorption of the trace element zinc. Folic acid should not be used alone in patients with pernicious anemia or suspected vitamin B12 deficiency; there is a risk of increased vitamin B12 burden and other discomforts.