Folate (Folic Acid) : Dosing

by MedlinePlus

(Page 2 of 4)

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Standardization (dietary folate equivalents): Folate is usually given as dietary folate equivalents (DFE), in which 1 DFE = 1 microgram of food folate = 0.6 micrograms of folate from fortified food or as a supplement consumed with food = 0.5 micrograms of a supplement taken on an empty stomach.

Adults (18 years and older):

U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults (oral): 400 micrograms per day for males or females ages 14 years and older; 500 micrograms per day for breastfeeding adult women; 600 micrograms per day for pregnant adult women. Given as dietary folate equivalents (DFE).

Tolerable upper intake levels (UL) per day:The UL is the maximum daily level of intake that is likely not to pose a risk of adverse effects.The UL is 800 micrograms per day for males or females ages 14-18 years-old (including pregnant or breastfeeding women); and 1,000 micrograms per day for males or females ages 19 years and older (including pregnant or breastfeeding women).

Folate deficiency: The typical dose is 250-1000mcg per day. For severe folate deficiency, such as in cases of megaloblastic anemia and malabsorption disorders, 1-5mg (1000-5000mcg) per day is often used until corrected blood tests are documented by a qualified healthcare professional.

Neural tube defects (prevention): Doses of at least 400 micrograms of folic acid per day from supplements or fortified food should be taken by women capable of becoming pregnant and continued through the first month of pregnancy. Women with a history of previous pregnancy complicated by such neural tube defects usually take 4mg (4000mcg) per day beginning one month before and continuing for three months after conception under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.

Hyperhomocysteinemia: Doses of 0.5 to 5mg per day (500 to 15000mcg) have been used, although 0.8 to 1mg per day (800 to 1000mcg) appears to provide maximal reduction of homocysteine levels. Doses greater than 1mg per day (1000mcg) do not seem to produce any greater benefit except in some people with certain gene mutations that cause homocysteine levels of 20 micromoles/L or higher. However, initial data suggest that the US Government-mandated fortification of cereals and flour with 140mcg folic acid per 100 grams is reducing the mean homocysteine level in the general population by about 7%. Consumption of at least 300mcg per day of dietary folate seems to be associated with a 20% lower risk of stroke and a 13% lower risk of cardiovascular disease when compared with consumption of less than 136mcg of folate per day. Doses of 10mg (10000mcg) per day of folic acid have been used to improve coagulation status, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction.

End stage renal disease (ESRD): Doses of 0.8 to 15mg (800 to 15000mcg) folic acid per day are generally used, but the degree of homocysteine reduction is very variable (between 12-50%), and normal homocysteine levels (< 12 micromoles/L) cannot always be achieved. Folic acid 2.5 to 5mg (2500 to 5000mcg) three times weekly also reduces homocysteine levels in ESRD patients on dialysis. Doses greater than 15mg (15000mcg) per day do not provide additional benefit. Doses of 30 to 60mg (30000 to 60000mcg) seem to cause a rebound in homocysteine levels when treatment is stopped.

Preventing increases in homocysteine levels after nitrous oxide anesthesia: Folate 2.5mg (2500mcg) in combination with pyridoxine 25mg (25000mcg) and vitamin B12 500mcg has been used daily for 1 week before surgery under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.

Adjunct treatment with conventional antidepressants: Doses of 200 to 500mcg per day has been used for enhancing treatment response to antidepressants. Limited clinical research suggests that folic acid is not effective as a replacement for conventional antidepressant therapy.

Vitiligo: Doses of 5mg (5000mcg) have been taken twice daily to improve the symptoms of vitiligo.

Drug-induced toxicity: For reduction of toxicity symptoms (nausea and vomiting) associated with methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or psoriasis, 1mg per day (1000mcg per day) may be sufficient, but up to 5mg per day (5000mcg per day) may be used.

Cervical cancer: 0.8 to 10 mg (800 to 10,000mcg) daily has been used but further data is necessary before a strong recommendation can be made.

Colon cancer: Doses of 400mcg per day has been used to reduce the risk of colon cancer occurring, although supplementation has not been proven to be effective.

Pancreatic cancer: Consuming greater than 280mcg per day of dietary folate is associated with a decreased risk of exocrine pancreatic cancer. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Phenytoin-induced gingival hyperplasia:Applying folic acid topically may inhibit gingival hyperplasia secondary to phenytoin therapy. However, taking folic acid by mouth does not seem to be beneficial for this indication.

Pregnancy-related gingivitis: Applying folic acid topically may improve gingivitis in pregnancy.

Megaloblastic anemia: In cases of megaloblastic anemia resulting from folate deficiency or malabsorption disorders such as sprue, oral doses of 1 to 5mg (1000 to 5000mcg) per day may be used until hematologic recovery is documented by a qualified healthcare provider.

Anticonvulsant-induced folate deficiency: 15mg (15000mcg) daily has been used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.

Children (younger than 18 years):

U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Adequate Intake (AI) for children (oral):For infants 0-6 months-old the AI is 65 micrograms per day; for infants 7-12 months-old the AI is 80 micrograms per day; for children 1-3 years-old the RDA is 150 micrograms per day; for children 4-8 years-old the RDA is 200 micrograms per day; for children 9-13 years-old the RDA is 300 micrograms per day. Given as dietary folate equivalents (DFE).

Tolerable upper intake levels (UL) per day:The UL is the maximum daily level of intake that is likely not to pose a risk of adverse effects.For children 1-3 years-old the UL is 300 micrograms; for children 4-8 years-old the UL is 400 micrograms; for children 9-13 years-old the UL is 600 micrograms; for adolescents 14-18 years-old the UL is 800 micrograms.

Caution: Folic acid injection contains benzyl alcohol (1.5%) as preservative and extreme care should be used in administration to neonates. Folic acid injections should be administered by a qualified healthcare provider.

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