Folic Acid Interactions
Article navigation
The following are the medications and supplements that are more likely to cause a reaction with folic acid (folate) supplements:
- Analgesics
Folic acid (folate) supplements, taken at the same time as analgesics, can reduce the levels of the analgesics, so they can become ineffective. - Antacids containing aluminium or magnesium
Long term use of antacids that contain either aluminium or magnesium, can cause a decreased absorption of folic acid (folate), so the supplements should not be taken at the same time, but at least 2 hours prior to taking the antacid. A better solution would be to find out the cause of the gastrointestinal problem and stop taking the antacids altogether. - Antibiotics
Folic acid (folate) supplements taken at the same time as antibiotics can cause incorrect blood test results for folic acid (folate) levels in the body, so these supplements should be avoided when taking antibiotics and having any type of blood tests. - Anticonvulsants
The folic acid (folate) supplements may stop the anticonvulsant medications which are used to prevent and manage seizure and convulsions from working properly, so people who are are taking anticonvulsant medications should not take folic acid (folate) supplements without getting approval from their medical doctor first. - Chloramphenicol
The medication Chloramphenicol, an antibiotic used for treating bacterial infections, when taken in combination with a folic acid (folate) supplement, causes a deficiency of folic acid (folate). Medical advice is required to determine if supplementation is required and how much. - Cortisone and corticosteroids
Cortisone and corticosteroid medications, used for disorders such as arthritis, that produce inflammation in the body, if taken at the same time as folic acid (folate) supplements can cause a decreased effectiveness of the folic acid (folate) in the body. - Epoetin
Epoetin medications, used to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, if taken at the same time as folic acid (folate) supplements can cause a decreased effectiveness of the folic acid (folate).
Folic acid (folate) has interactions with a number of medications
- Methotrexate
The medication Methotrexate, used to treat cancer, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, if taken at the same time as folic acid (folate) supplements can cause a decreased effectiveness of the folic acid (folate). This medication blocks and reverses the effect of the folic acid (folate) supplements. - Oral contraceptives
Women who take oral contraceptives of any type may require extra folic acid (folate) supplementation to prevent a deficiency in folic acid (folate) that the oral contraceptive can cause in some women, especially when it is taken over a longer term. - Phenytoin (Dilantin)
The medication Phenytoin, used to prevent and manage seizures (convulsions) can be inactivated if taken at the same time as folic acid (folate) supplements. People taking the medication Phenytoin should avoid taking any folic acid (folate) supplements while they are taking the Phenytoin. - Pyrimethamine
The medication Pyrimethamine, used for treating malaria, if taken at the same time as folic acid (folate) supplements can cause a decreased effectiveness of both the Pryimethamine and the folic acid (folate) too. People that are taking Pryimethamine should avoid taking folic acid (folate) supplements at the same time. - Quinine
The medication Quinine, used to treat malaria, can cause a decrease in the effect of folic acid (folate). - Sulfasalazine and other sulfa medications
The medication Sulfasalazine and other sulfa medications, used for ulcerative colitis, can cause a decrease in the effectiveness of folic acid (folate). - Triamterene
The medication Triamterene, used for treating swelling (oedema) associated with conditions such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and certain severe kidney problems, can cause a decrease in the effectiveness of folic acid (folate). - Trimethoprim
The medication Trimethoprim, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, can cause a decrease in the effectiveness of folic acid (folate).