What it means
The man-made form of folate, a B vitamin found in leafy greens, beans and fortified grains. The body needs it to make new cells, so a lack causes a large-cell anemiauh-NEE-mee-uhA lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.a- without, lacking-emia blood conditionFull entry and, in early pregnancy, raises the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. It is also given with methotrexatemeth-oh-TREK-sateA drug that blocks the use of folic acid by cells, used in high doses for cancer and in low weekly doses for autoimmune diseases.Full entry to lessen side effects.
For the nurse
Women who could become pregnant are advised to take 400 micrograms a day, starting before pregnancy. A vitamin B12VY-tuh-min bee TWELVA vitamin from animal foods that the body needs to make red blood cells and keep nerves healthy; also called cobalamin.Full entry lack must be ruled out before treating anemia with folic acid alone, because folic acid can hide the anemia while nerve damage gets worse.
At a glance
| Drug class | vitamin (water-soluble B vitamin) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | ácido fólico |
| Also written | vitamin B9 |
Related terms
anemia
A lower than normal number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
vitamin
A substance the body needs in small amounts for normal growth and function, mostly from food.
vitamin B12
A vitamin from animal foods that the body needs to make red blood cells and keep nerves healthy; also called cobalamin.
methotrexate
A drug that blocks the use of folic acid by cells, used in high doses for cancer and in low weekly doses for autoimmune diseases.