Folinal 5mg Tablet

Usually, folic acid requirements are met from the diet and therefore additional supplements are not required. In general, Folinal is recommended only when you have a deficiency of folic acid. However, Folinal is advised to women who are pregnant and who want to conceive. The medicine should be taken at least 4 weeks before pregnancy and should continue its use up to 3 months of pregnancy. Consult your doctor if not sure.

Maintaining the right level of folic acid in the body before getting pregnant reduces the risk of developing neural tube defects in the baby. Neural tube effect, in most cases, is caused if the structure (neural tube) from which the central nervous system develops (brain and spinal cord) in a baby does not form or is only partially closed. full closure of the neural tube occurs during the end of the fourth week of pregnancy. Folic acid helps in the formation of neural tubes. Therefore, to prevent this defect women should start Folinal before four weeks of pregnancy.

Animal studies on Folinal suggest that taking the medicine in excess along with a high-fat diet may lead to weight gain and fat accumulation. But this weight gain was not evident when taken along with a normal or low fat diet, even with excess Folinal. In humans, similar studies have not been conducted and therefore knowledge regarding weight gain is lacking. Therefore, if you are on Folinal then avoid excess Folinal and eat a low fat meal to be on a safer side.

Yes, you can breastfeed while taking Folinal as it is not harmful for the baby. Folinal contains folic acid which is naturally found in the breast milk. Though its initial levels in the breast milk are low, it rises eventually. Since it is actively secreted in breast milk, mother may take Folinal every day to maintain the required levels. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions related to nutrient supplementation in breastfeeding.

Folinal usually starts working within a few hours of taking it. If you are taking it for iron deficiency anemia, you may start feeling better after a few weeks of taking it. In case you are taking it during pregnancy, you may not notice any difference but this does not mean that the dose is not working. Continue taking Folinal for the duration recommended by your doctor.

Generally, Folinal is well tolerated and no side effects are reported in the majority of people. However, some may experience stomach and intestinal problems which include nausea (feeling sick), loss of appetite, bloating and excessive passing of gas. The medicine may also worsen the symptoms of any coexisting vitamin B12 deficiency. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor but do not stop taking Folinal.

You can take Folinal any time of the day, but try to take it at the same time each day. This will help you remember to take it. Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medicine should be swallowed as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, cut or crush the medicine.

The duration of treatment with Folinal depends on the reason you are taking it for. For instance, if you are planning your pregnancy then you need to start taking it 4 weeks prior to pregnancy and should continue up to the first 3 months of pregnancy. Whereas, if you are taking it for folic acid deficiency then you may have to take it for 4 months. The duration of treatment for this can increase if your deficiency does not subside. If you are taking it to reduce the side effects of methotrexate then you may need to take it for as long as you are taking methotrexate. Consult your prescribing physician to know the exact duration of your therapy.