Folic acid oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

This article describes possible side effects of folic acid oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about folic acid, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Folic acid oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version.

More common side effects of folic acid

Folic acid oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication. Note that “common” here means more common relative to other side effects. In general, folic acid doesn’t commonly cause side effects.

Commonly reported side effects of folic acid oral tablet include:

• appetite loss*
• nausea
• bloating in your abdomen
• gas
• bitter mouth taste*

* To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of folic acid in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of folic acid

Folic acid may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of folic acid oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• appetite loss*
• nausea
• bloating in your abdomen
• gas
• bitter mouth taste*
• mild allergic reaction*

* To learn more about these side effects, see the “Side effects of folic acid in detail” section below.

Folic acid oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of folic acid

Folic acid may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from folic acid, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with folic acid.

Serious side effects aren’t expected with folic acid, but they can occur in rare cases. Your body naturally produces a B vitamin called folate, and folic acid is a synthetic (artificial) version of this naturally occurring vitamin.

Common questions about side effects of folic acid

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of folic acid oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do side effects of folic acid in females compare with those seen in males?

Side effects of folic acid aren’t expected to differ in females* compared to males*, according to studies of folic acid.

Keep in mind that pregnancy causes many changes in the body. If you’re taking folic acid to treat anemia related to pregnancy, it can be difficult to know if your symptoms are related to pregnancy or a medication you’re taking. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms are bothering you or they don’t go away. They can review your symptoms and help determine whether they are due to folic acid, other medications, or due to changes caused by pregnancy.

*Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

Is folic acid safe for older adults?

Yes, folic acid is safe for older adults (ages 65 years and above). According to studies, it doesn’t appear that older adults experienced different side effects or faced a higher risk of experiencing them than younger adults.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your risk for side effects from folic acid based on your specific health factors.

Does folic acid cause long-term side effects?

No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with folic acid oral tablet. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after the treatment ended also weren’t reported.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with folic acid.

Side effects of folic acid in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of folic acid oral tablet.

Appetite loss

In studies, appetite loss was rare in people taking folic acid oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.

Appetite loss can lead to weight loss. But if you eat less, appetite loss could also lead to nutritional deficiencies as a result of not consuming enough vitamins and minerals.

It’s important to note that appetite loss is also a symptom of anemia, and folic acid is prescribed to treat certain types of anemia.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of appetite loss, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment to review your symptoms in person. This can help your doctor determine whether your symptoms are caused by folic acid, anemia, or another factor. This will also help your doctor decide how to treat your symptoms.

Bitter mouth taste

In studies, bitter mouth taste was rare in people taking folic acid oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.

A bitter mouth taste can cause sensations described as salty, foul, rancid, or metallic in the mouth.

It’s important to note that bitter mouth taste can also happen during pregnancy. Folic acid is prescribed to treat anemia caused by pregnancy.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of bitter mouth taste, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment to review your symptoms in person. This can help your doctor determine whether your symptoms are caused by folic acid, pregnancy, or another factor. This will also help your doctor decide how to treat your symptoms.

Allergic reaction

For some people, folic acid oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to folic acid oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for folic acid

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking folic acid oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take folic acid oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether folic acid oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking folic acid oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include past allergic reaction to folic acid.

Folic acid and pregnancy

In general, folic acid oral tablet is considered safe to use during pregnancy. The drug is commonly prescribed to treat anemia during pregnancy.

Talk with your doctor if you have additional questions about using folic acid during pregnancy.

Folic acid and breastfeeding

In general, folic acid oral tablet is considered safe to take while breastfeeding. That said, check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically.

Folic acid and alcohol

Folic acid oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with folic acid oral tablet.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of folic acid oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• If I can’t tolerate side effects of folic acid, what other treatment options for anemia are available?
• How will you monitor me for side effects while I’m taking folic acid?
• Does my risk of side effects from folic acid depend on my dosage?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.