folic acid

Folic acid is the synthetic form of vitamin B9 (folate), a water-soluble B-complex vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, repair, and methylation. It is required for healthy red blood cell production and supports rapid cell division and growth. Folic acid is used to prevent and treat folate deficiency (which can cause megaloblastic anemia), reduce high homocysteine levels (hyperhomocysteinemia), prevent neural tube defects in pregnancy (such as spina bifida), and mitigate side effects from drugs like methotrexate. After oral or parenteral administration, folic acid is converted by dihydrofolate reductase into active forms such as tetrahydrofolate that participate in one-carbon transfer reactions vital for nucleotide biosynthesis[1][2][5].

Brand names

FA-8FA8FA 8Folacin-800Folacin800Folacin 800FaLessaFolviteFolacinFolicetQ-TABS

Other names

vitamin B9pteroylmonoglutamic acid