Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: FOLIC ACID versus FOLICET.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: FOLIC ACID versus FOLICET.
FOLIC ACID vs FOLICET
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a water-soluble B vitamin. It is reduced to dihydrofolate (DHF) and then to tetrahydrofolate (THF) via dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). THF serves as a cofactor for one-carbon transfer reactions essential for purine and thymidine synthesis (DNA replication), amino acid metabolism (e.g., homocysteine remethylation to methionine), and other methylation reactions.
Folic acid is reduced to tetrahydrofolate (THF) through the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. THF is a cofactor in one-carbon transfer reactions involved in purine and pyrimidine synthesis, and amino acid metabolism, essential for DNA synthesis and cell division.
Oral or intramuscular/subcutaneous injection: 400-800 mcg daily for general supplementation; 1-5 mg daily for folate deficiency; 5-15 mg daily for megaloblastic anemia.
1 mg orally once daily. For treatment of megaloblastic anemia, up to 5 mg daily initially.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateFolic acid + Teriflunomide
"The serum concentration of Teriflunomide can be increased when it is combined with Folic acid."
Clinical Note
moderateTiaprofenic acid + Folic acid
"The therapeutic efficacy of Folic acid can be decreased when used in combination with Tiaprofenic acid."
Clinical Note
moderateCarprofen + Folic acid
"The therapeutic efficacy of Folic acid can be decreased when used in combination with Carprofen."
Clinical Note
moderateCyproterone acetate + Folic acid
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 0.7 hours (range 0.5-1.0 h) for folic acid; the active metabolite (5-MTHF) has a longer half-life of about 3-4 hours.
Terminal elimination half-life is 3-5 hours in adults with normal renal function; may be prolonged up to 12-24 hours in severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min).
Primarily renal (urinary) as intact folic acid and metabolites, accounting for 80-90% of the excreted dose; fecal elimination via bile is minor (<10%).
Primarily renal elimination: approximately 80% of the dose is excreted unchanged in urine via glomerular filtration and active tubular secretion. Biliary/fecal excretion accounts for <15%.
Category A/B
Category C
Vitamin
Vitamin
"The serum concentration of Folic acid can be decreased when it is combined with Cyproterone acetate."