Someone tell me I'm not crazy?

[Sapphire909]

When I went to my doctor, he prescribed me 5 MG of folic acid. I didn't realize this until I had my prescription filled and looked at the bottle label. Now I am looking at a generic over the counter bottle of folic acid, which is only 1 MG (1,000 mcg), and that appears to be the highest that you can go. I think he was meaning to prescribe .5 MG, not 5 MG! Isn't that a heck of a lot of folic acid?? I don't have any medical history that would call for a higher than usual dose.

Since his office was closed by the time I got my prescription, I asked the pharmacist. She said the prescription definantely said 5 MG. I haven't taken any because I really think it is wrong, wanted to get someones opinion on this? Thanks!

 

[CMarie]

My doctor told me that max amount of folic acid pregnant women should take is 1 mg and that's even the highest amount in any prenatal vitamin sold in Canada.

Personally, I think it's wrong and you should stick with a max of 1 mg until you can at least speak with your doctor.

Hope this helps

 

[ChristinaRN]

Here in the US the recommended folic acid is 400mcg with doses up to 800mcg (0.8 mg) so yah 5mg sounds high. Definately call OB office in the morning. Why a prescription when this stuff is available over the counter? Maybe there is something else in it that the doc wants you to have.

 

[holly2234]

I started ttc and my pregnancy in the US where i had been taking .8mg but the normal is .4 here so i doubled up and took .8 until about 20 weeks after i got back then i stuck with .4 so definitely seems high

 

[Sapphire909]

Here in the US the recommended folic acid is 400mcg with doses up to 800mcg (0.8 mg) so yah 5mg sounds high. Definately call OB office in the morning. Why a prescription when this stuff is available over the counter? Maybe there is something else in it that the doc wants you to have.

Well I told him I was taking .4, I knew there was a 1 MG and asked if I should go any higher? So I "thought" he said we would go up a little higher to .5 . Of course now I can't remember exactly, which is causing my confusion. From the responses here so far, sounds like he did give me the wrong amount

 

[Squeeker]

It is true that 1000 mg is the largest dose you can buy in Canada (can't speak for the rest of the world).

HOWEVER

5000 mg is the recommended dose of folic acid for high risk pregnancies, pregnancies with a family history of neural tube defects, or pregnancies where the mother has a problem with vitamin adsorption (like crohn's, celiac, eating disorders, etc.). You can either take a handful of the regular pills or get a prescription for the larger dose.

I am personally on a 5000 mg dose of folic acid because my brother was born with anencephaly. I have had no side effects.

Call your doctor if you have questions, but you should be safe to take the folic acid pills you were prescribed IMO.

 

[sophie22]

oh dear. i was already on folic acid 5mg because i was deficient in it, ive just carried on taking that.....maybe i should ask!

 

[stephwiggy]

5mg is the reccomended now !!! what you dont need your body will get rid of !! it wont do any harm .. by all means do call but dont panic

 

[foxforce]

I was prescribed 5mg from my gynae, although I have no family history of neural tube probs.

Your body will just use what you need and expel the rest in your urine.

400mcg is normal recommended dose which you can buy in UK 5mg is on presciption only, if dr has prescribed it then just take it won't do you no harm.

 

[sophie22]

https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/pregnancyandchildbirth/205001.html

yeah, i just googled it, it seems okay x