All Details About Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule
Find out detailed description, uses, directions of use, side effects, warnings and precautions, frequently asked questions about Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule
Description:
Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule is a folic acid supplement. It is used to treat a type of anemia where you have too few red blood cells because you have too little folic acid in your body. Folic acid is needed to produce the red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body.Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule may be taken with or without food. Take it regularly and at the same time each day to get maximum benefits. Take it as a whole, do not break, chew, or crush them. Your doctor will decide the doses you need depending on the severity of your condition. It may help to eat a well-balanced diet that has enough folic acid, iron, vitamins, and minerals.
This medicine is generally well tolerated with little or no side effects. However, it may cause abdominal distension, flatulence, nausea, and weight loss in some people. While on treatment with this medicine, you may need to take blood tests to check your blood cells and iron levels, monitor your progress, and check for side effects.
Earlier taking it, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma or other allergies, or high blood pressure. Let your doctor also know all the other medicines you are taking. It may be advisable to limit alcohol while on treatment with this medicine.
Uses:
- Treatment of Anemia due to folic acid deficiency
Directions For Use:
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.Side Effects:
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about themOrdinary side effects of Folistar
- Abdominal distension
- Flatulence
- Nausea
- Weight loss
Warning & Precautions:
Alcohol
CAUTION
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule is safe to use during pregnancy. Most studies have shown low or no risk to the developing baby.
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Driving
SAFE
Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
There is limited information available on the use of Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
FAQs:
Q. Is it ok to take Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule when not pregnant?
Usually, folic acid requirements are met from the diet and therefore additional supplements are not required. In general, Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule is recommended only when you have a deficiency of folic acid. However, Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule is advised to women who are pregnant and who want to conceive. The medicine should be taken at least 4 weeks before pregnancy and should continue its use up to 3 months of pregnancy. Consult your doctor if not sure.
Q. Can Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule cause weight gain?
Animal studies on Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule suggest that taking the medicine in excess along with a high-fat diet may lead to weight gain and fat accumulation. But this weight gain was not evident when taken along with a normal or low-fat diet, even with excess Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule. In humans, similar studies have not been conducted and therefore knowledge regarding weight gain is lacking. Therefore, if you are on Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule eat a low-fat meal to be on the safer side.
Q. How long does Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule take to work?
Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule usually starts working within a few hours of taking it. If you are taking it for iron deficiency anemia, you may start feeling better after a few weeks of taking it. In case you are taking it during pregnancy, you may not notice any difference but this does not mean that the dose is not working. Continue taking Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule for the duration recommended by your doctor.
Q. Why should women start taking Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule before they become pregnant?
Keeping the right level of folic acid in the body before getting pregnant reduces the risk of developing neural tube defects in the baby. The neural tube defect, in most cases, is caused if the structure (neural tube) from which the central nervous system develops (brain and spinal cord) in a baby does not form or is only partially closed. full closure of the neural tube occurs during the end of the fourth week of pregnancy. Folic acid helps in the formation of neural tubes. Therefore, to prevent this defect women should start Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule before four weeks of pregnancy.
Q. Can I breastfeed while taking Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule?
Affirmative, you can breastfeed while taking Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule as it is not harmful to the baby. Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule contains folic acid which is naturally found in breast milk. Though its initial levels in breast milk are low, it rises eventually. Since it is actively secreted in breast milk, the mother may take Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule every day to maintain the required levels. Communicate to your doctor if you have any questions related to nutrient supplementation in breastfeeding.
Q. When should I take Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule, in the morning or at night?
You can take Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule any time of the day, but try to take it at the same time each day. This will help you remember to take it. Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medicine should be swallowed as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, cut or crush the medicine.
Q. Can Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule make you sick?
Generally, Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule is well tolerated. However, some people may experience nausea (feeling sick), loss of appetite, bloating, and excessive passing of gas. The medicine may also worsen the symptoms of any coexisting vitamin B12 deficiency. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor but do not stop taking Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule.
Q. How long do I need to take Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule?
The duration of treatment with Folistar Soft Gelatin Capsule depends on the reason you are taking it for. If you are planning your pregnancy, you may start taking it 4 weeks before pregnancy and continue up to the first 3 months of pregnancy. If you are taking it for folic acid deficiency then you may have to take it for 4 months or longer (if your deficiency does not subside). If you are taking it to reduce the side effects of methotrexate then you may need to take it for as long as you are taking methotrexate. Consult your prescribing physician to know the exact duration of your therapy.
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