title: [Safety aspects of folic acid for the general population].
abstract: Periconceptional use of folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects considerably. In Switzerland, implementation of these findings could be improved through fortification of a staple food with folic acid. The present paper reviews possible hazards associated with high intake of folic acid in the general population. Among the potential safety issues are interaction between folic acid and zinc, interaction between folic acid and drugs (phenytoin, methotrexate etc.) and hypersensitivity to folic acid. Of main concern are adverse effects of folic acid in cobalamin deficiency. Solutions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Sozial- und Präventivmedizin, Universität Zürich, Zürich.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eichholzer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lüthy
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Stähelin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gutzwiller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000378:metabolism; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010919:Placebos; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D005493:Folic Acid Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D005492:Folic Acid; D015032:Zinc; D008727:Methotrexate