Indications And Dose
Folate-deficient megaloblastic anaemia ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 1–11 months: Initially 500 micrograms/kg once daily (max. per dose 5 mg) for up to 4 months, doses up to 10 mg daily may be required in malabsorption states ▶Child 1–17 years: 5 mg daily for 4 months (until term in pregnant women), doses up to 15 mg daily may be required in malabsorption states ▶Adult: 5 mg daily for 4 months (until term in pregnant women), doses up to 15 mg daily may be required in malabsorption states Prevention of neural tube defects (in those at a low risk of conceiving a child with a neural tube defect see Neural tube defects (prevention in pregnancy) p. 1150) ▶BY MOUTH ▶Females of childbearing potential: 400 micrograms daily, to be taken before conception and until week 12 of pregnancy Prevention of neural tube defects (in those in the high- risk group who wish to become pregnant or who are at risk of becoming pregnant see Neural tube defects (prevention in pregnancy) p. 1150) ▶BY MOUTH ▶Females of childbearing potential: 5 mg daily, to be taken before conception and until week 12 of pregnancy Prevention of neural tube defects (in those with sickle-cell disease) ▶BY MOUTH ▶Females of childbearing potential: 5 mg daily, patient should continue taking their normal dose of folic acid 5 mg daily (or increase the dose to 5 mg daily) before conception and continue this throughout pregnancy Prevention of methotrexate-induced side-effects in rheumatic disease ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 5 mg once weekly, dose to be taken on a different day to methotrexate dose Prevention of methotrexate side-effects in severe Crohn’s disease | Prevention of methotrexate side-effects in severe psoriasis ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 5 mg once weekly, dose to be taken on a different day to methotrexate dose Prophylaxis in chronic haemolytic states ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 5 mg every 1–7 days, frequency dependent on underlying disease Prophylaxis of folate deficiency in dialysis ▶BY MOUTH ▶Child 1 month–11 years: 250 micrograms/kg once daily (max. per dose 10 mg) ▶Child 12–17 years: 5–10 mg once daily ▶Adult: 5 mg every 1–7 days Prophylaxis of folate deficiency in patients receiving parenteral nutrition ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: 15 mg 1–2 times a week, usually given by intravenous infusion in the parenteral nutrition solution l UNLICENSED USE ▶In adults Not licensed for prevention of methotrexate- induced side-effects in severe Crohn’s disease. Not licensed for prevention of methotrexate-induced side- effects in rheumatic disease. Not licensed for prevention of methotrexate-induced side-effects in severe psoriasis.
Source pages 1106, 1107