Folgard

Generic Name: folic acid with vitamin b6 and b12 (FOE-lik AS-id)
Brand Name: Examples include Folgard and Folcaps

Folgard is used for:

Supplementing the diet to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Folgard is a vitamin combination. It works by increasing the amounts of folic acid and vitamin B6 and B12 in the body.

Do NOT use Folgard if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Folgard
• you are taking fluorouracil or levodopa (without carbidopa)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Before using Folgard:

Some medical conditions may interact with Folgard. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have anemia or a condition known as Leber hereditary optic atrophy

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Folgard. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Fluorouracil because the actions and side effects of Folgard may be increased
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) or levodopa because the effectiveness may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Folgard may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Folgard:

Use Folgard as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Folgard may be taken with or without food.
• If you miss taking a dose of Folgard for 1 or more days, there is no cause for concern. If your doctor recommended that you take it, try to remember your dose every day.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Folgard.

Important safety information:

• Folgard may cause drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Folgard. Using Folgard alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Do not take large doses of vitamins (megadoses or megavitamin therapy) while taking Folgard unless directed to by your doctor.
• Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking chloramphenicol.
• Use Folgard with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is unknown if Folgard can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant while taking Folgard, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Folgard during pregnancy. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Folgard, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Folgard:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; drowsiness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty grasping with your hands; difficulty walking; itching, tingling, or numbness of fingers or toes; loss of muscle coordination.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Store Folgard at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Folgard out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Folgard, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Folgard is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Folgard or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about Folgard. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Folgard. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Folgard.

Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.