Megafol

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Generic Name: Folic acid
Product Name: Megafol

Folic acid is used in the following situations:

Treatment of anaemia due to folate deficiency Prevention of folate deficiency during pregnancy and subsequently preventing neural tube defects in the foetus Prevention of folate deficiency in patients undergoing chronic haemolysis and renal dialysis To reduce the risk of toxicity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis that are being treated with methotrexate

Your doctor will be able to advise if this product is suitable for you. Consult your doctor before taking any medication or supplement.

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Folic acid is a B group vitamin that is required for DNA synthesis, amino acid metabolism and the formation of red blood cells Folic acid is involved in the maturation of all rapidly proliferating tissues and is particularly important during neural tube closure in the developing foetus.

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Dose information

Treatment of folate deficiency Adults 5 mg orally once a day for at least 4 months Children 0.5 mg per kg orally once a day for at least 4 months The maximum recommended dose is m 5 mg once daily Prevention of folate deficiency in pregnancy: In low risk women who have no family history of neural tube defects and are not on antiepileptic medications 500 micrograms orally is given once daily prior to conception and should be continued for the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. In high risk women who have had a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect, who have a close family history of neural tube defects or who are taking antiepileptic medications, 5 mg orally is given once daily prior to conception and should be continued for the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. Prevention of folate deficiency in chronic haemolysis and renal dialysis: 5 mg orally with dosing ranging form once a day to once a week Alternatively 500 micrograms orally may be given after dialysis. Prevention of methotrexate toxicity: 1-5 mg orally once a day.

Always read the label. If you have any queries about the correct way to use this product, please ask your doctor. Individual results may vary.

Precautions

Intravenous folic acid should be used only when oral administration is not possible

Pregnancy and lactation

Folic acid is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

If you have any concerns, please speak with your doctor.

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500 microgram: Unscheduled; 5 mg: S2^ top

Megafol may cause:

Rash;Shortness of breath;Fever;Nausea;Diarrhoea;Irritability;Sleep disturbances;Bronchospasm.

Allergies to the ingredients used in this product may still develop. Typical allergic symptoms include:

Seek urgent medical assistance if you experience:

Severe swelling;?Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

If you experience any symptoms that appear abnormal or unusual, please tell your doctor.

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Please note that the Product Information including information such as what a product should be used for, how it works, the dosage and relevant side effects is created by the company who makes the product. For registered medicines, the Product Information is carefully validated by the relevant Australian health authority, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). However, for complementary medicines the Product Information is NOT routinely checked by the TGA. Therefore it is important that you do NOT take any complementary medicine without first speaking with your doctor.

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