Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose

Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose – General Information

Folic acid and folate are types of vitamins which dissolve in water. Folate is found in food naturally, whereas the folic acid is a synthetic substance, which is usually used as a supplement. The folic acid contains small yellowish- orange crystals and two thin and long platelets; in contrast with the natural folate, the folic acid it is not extremely soluble and its melt point is not known. However, the folic acid is extremely important in order to maintain a healthy medical condition of a person and a normal development and growth. It plays an essential role in the process of cell division and the synthesis of DNA. Folic acid is absolutely necessary when the process of cell growth is extremely intense, like in the case of breastfeeding, a pregnancy or other serious problems, such as cancer. On the other hand, the folic acid is vital for a proper function of the brain and it assures a normal emotional and mental condition. It also controls the formation of the red blood cells and a proper distribution of iron in the body. It manipulates the production of stomach acid, it keeps the liver healthy and it increases a person’s appetite. Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose is quite rare and it is not a severe disease. Such a disorder does not usually develop as the folic acid is soluble in water and it is easily excreted by the organism. However, Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose can occur if the patient uses an extremely high dose of this supplement (more than 1,500 mcg).

Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose – Symptoms

Before you start taking folic acid supplements you should inform your doctor in order to take the right decision. Although it is quite unlikely for those who take folic acid supplements to suffer from Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose, if this happens the sufferers should pay attention to the following signs and symptoms: stomach problems, skin reactions, seizures and sleep problems. On the other hand, in the case of Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose the effectiveness of other drugs can be reduced. For example, is the sufferer is also being administrated chemotherapy and anticancer drugs, their effectiveness can be drastically diminished. This also happens in the case of anticonvulsant drugs, estrogen supplements and zinc supplements. These drugs will no longer be absorbed efficiently and their impact on the organism is reduced. In what concerns those who suffer from Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose and their general health condition is quite bad, they can experience more severe symptoms, such as: nausea, general and unexplained weakness, numbness of the feet and hands, drastic mood and mental changes or some allergies. These allergic reactions can include: swelling, rash, dizziness, itching or troubles during breathing. If you notice any of the symptoms and signs described above, you should inform your doctor as soon as possible and you should also interrupt the administration of any other drugs.  You can also inform your pharmacist or call the emergency room or a centre specialized in poisoning. You are especially advised to do that if you took by mistake a high dose of these supplements.

Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose – Treatment

In order to treat efficiently Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose, your doctor will probably recommend the administration of leucovorin. However, in order to obtain the best results, the drug should be administrated within a few hours after the first signs and symptoms appear. So, if you notice any of the symptoms presented above, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Leucovorin is a drug which is also administrated in the case of cancer in order to defend the healthy cells against the anti-cancer medication and the chemotherapy. It also proved quite useful in treating folate-induced anemia, especially in the case of children or pregnant women. In the case of Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose, however, this drug should be administrated under attentive professional care and only after your personal doctor prescribes it to you.  The injection is given intramuscularly or intravenously, only after it is checked for clarity, leakage or discoloration. The solution which is used must be carefully prepared and stored in a special room for about one day. So, it is quite useful for hospitals to dispose of this solution permanently.  Because the diluted solution also contains calcium, the dose administrated in a minute should not be higher than 165 mg.  

If the patient who suffers from Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose is administrated leucovorin at the same time with other drugs, he can experience side effects, such as: wheezing, convulsions, skin rash, diarrhea, vomiting, stomatitis, mouth sores, itching or mucositis. In order to obtain a better result, the injection should not be administrated in the spinal fluid. If the injection is administrated to a pregnant women or a mother who is breast-feeding her baby, the doctor should firstly take some tests. In order to obtain better results, leucovorin should be stored properly, in cold rooms, away from direct heat or light.
In addition to the administration of leucovorin, those who suffer from Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose have to rest for a few days and they can also be prescribed some days of hospitalization. This procedure is quite necessary, as the doctors have to observe the evolution of the patient and any side effects which may appear and which could lead to more serious problems. In addition, the doctors have to carefully analyze the other drugs which the patient is taken in order to decide if they can affect his future development and his general health condition or not. If the drugs seem dangerous, he has to consult with a pharmacist and replace these drugs with other which will not interfere in the evolution of the patient’s condition. Even though Folic Acid Antagonist Overdose does not seem a severe disease, but one which is easy to treat, you should not ignore it and you must inform your personal doctor about any changes in your general health condition. However, in order to reduce the possibility of experiencing this disease, you must always respect the exact dosage of folic acid which you are taken daily. This is also valuable for any other supplements a person uses at some point.