Taking folic acid with other medicines and herbal supplements

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that may affect how folic acid works.

Folic acid can also affect the way other medicines work.

Do not take your folic acid within 2 hours before or after taking indigestion remedies (antacids containing aluminium or magnesium), as they may stop the folic acid being properly absorbed.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before you start taking folic acid:

• methotrexate, a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis and some types of cancer
• phenytoin, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital or primidone, medicines used to treat epilepsy
• fluorouracil, capecitabine, raltitrexed or tegafur, medicines used to treat some types of cancer
• antibiotics, medicines used to treat or prevent bacterial infection
• medicines that contain zinc (including throat lozenges and cold remedies)
• sulfasalazine, a medicine used to treat the inflammatory bowel conditions ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
• cholestyramine, a medicine used to reduce cholesterol

Taking folic acid with painkillers

You can take folic acid at the same time as everyday painkillers such as paracetamol.

Paracetamol is the first choice of painkiller if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you're taking folic acid with methotrexate, talk to your doctor before taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

Mixing folic acid with herbal remedies or supplements

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any herbal remedies or supplements together with folic acid.

Some vitamin and mineral supplements already contain folic acid. It's important not to take more than the recommended daily amount.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you take any supplements or remedies that contain zinc. Folic acid can stop zinc working as well as it should.