Sunward Folic Acid 5mg Tablet

Sunward Folic Acid 5mg Tablet provides 5mg (5,000mcg) of folic acid in each tablet. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, also known as vitamin B9, a water-soluble B vitamin found naturally in leafy green vegetables, legumes, citrus fruits and liver. Folic acid is more stable and better absorbed than the natural folate found in food, which is why it is the form used in supplements and fortified foods.

Folate is needed for DNA synthesis, normal cell division and normal red blood cell formation, and it plays an important role in the development of the baby’s neural tube in early pregnancy. Adequate folic acid intake before conception and during the first weeks of pregnancy is therefore widely recommended for women who may become pregnant. For most people, however, the standard recommendation is 400mcg a day, which is a much lower amount than this product provides.

The 5mg strength is a high dose, about five times the upper intake level of 1mg a day set for supplemental folic acid in adults, and it is usually taken only on the advice of a doctor. Doctors may recommend this strength in specific situations, for example for women at higher risk of a neural tube defect-affected pregnancy or when a higher folate need has been identified. Sunward Folic Acid 5mg Tablet is listed in a pack of 10 tablets; please refer to the product label and packaging for the full product information.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water, with or after a meal. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Take it at about the same time each day, and use it only for as long as your doctor has advised.

Adults: One tablet (5mg) once daily, or as directed by your doctor. Because 5mg is a high dose, use this strength on the advice of a doctor, who will decide how long you should take it.

Do not exceed the dose advised by your doctor and do not combine it with other folic acid-containing products unless instructed. If you miss a dose, take the next dose at the usual time; do not double up. Not for use in children unless directed by a doctor.

Refer to the expiry date printed on the product packaging. Do not use the tablets after the expiry date.

Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C, away from heat, moisture and direct light. Keep the tablets in their original packaging and keep out of reach of children.

• Common: Mild nausea, bloating or abdominal discomfort.
• Common: Temporary loss of appetite or a bitter taste in the mouth.
• Uncommon: Sleep disturbance, irritability or difficulty concentrating with high doses.
• Serious: Allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing – stop taking it and seek medical help immediately.

• Do not use if you are allergic to folic acid or any other ingredient of the tablet.
• Do not use for undiagnosed anaemia or tiredness before vitamin B12 levels have been checked, as folic acid can hide the signs of vitamin B12 deficiency while nerve damage continues.
• People with certain cancers, or receiving cancer treatment, should not take folic acid unless their oncologist has approved it.

• Methotrexate: Folic acid can interfere with methotrexate used for cancer; for low-dose methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, your doctor may prescribe folic acid on a specific schedule – follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.
• Antiepileptic medicines: Phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital and valproate can lower folate levels, and folic acid may lower the blood levels of some of these medicines; check with your doctor before use.
• Sulfasalazine: Can reduce folate absorption; your doctor will advise whether you need folic acid.
• Trimethoprim, pyrimethamine and other folate antagonists: Folic acid may affect how these medicines work; ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Other folic acid sources: Prenatal vitamins, multivitamins and fortified foods also contain folic acid; tell your doctor about all products you take.

• Use the 5mg strength only when a doctor has recommended it; most people need a much lower amount.
• If you are planning a pregnancy, ask your doctor which folic acid dose is right for you and when to start.
• Ask your doctor to check your vitamin B12 level if you are taking high-dose folic acid for a long time.
• Avoid taking a separate prenatal vitamin with folic acid unless your doctor has told you to combine them.
• Swallow the tablet whole and take it at the same time each day.
• Tell every doctor who treats you that you take folic acid, especially if you take seizure medicines or methotrexate.

Precautions: This is a high-dose folic acid strength and should be used on the advice of a doctor. Speak to your doctor before use if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, have vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anaemia, have kidney or liver disease, have epilepsy, have or have had cancer, or are taking other medicines or supplements. Folic acid can correct the blood changes of vitamin B12 deficiency while allowing nerve damage to progress, so B12 status should be checked when high doses are used.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: See your doctor for tiredness, paleness, breathlessness, mouth ulcers, numbness or tingling, as these need proper diagnosis rather than self-treatment. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, your doctor will advise on the right folic acid dose and duration. Stop taking the tablets and seek medical help immediately if you develop signs of an allergic reaction.