When prescribed folic acid runs out

[Av42]

When my prescribed folic acid runs out am I best to stop altogether or is it better to get some cheap ones from supermarket to keep it topped up ?

[Av42]

Sorry another thing does the spray help on run up to next injection . Feel ok at mo but want to be armed in case of down turn and don't want to go down self injecting route at moment. Thanks for any help .

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi Av42 if they were prescribed by the doctor for a set period it would be good to get the level tested again a week or so later to see if you need to carry on supplementing.

Unless you have absorption problems are you able to eat leafy green vegetables? Is your breakfast cereal fortified? These are natural ways of maintaining a healthy level.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

as clivealive says the best source of folate is from your diet - if you want to supplement after that -and a lot of us do - then I'd suggest going for 200-400mcg supplements from a supermarket and see how that goes.

[wedgewood]

The super market and prescribed folic acid will be the same folic acid .So you can use the supermarket one without any worries .

[Lynne279 in reply to wedgewood]

In the UK the strengths are different. 5mg folic acid (which is what I'm prescribed, and I presume what other PA sufferers have too) is only available on prescription in the UK ... the supermarket ones are 400mcg & sold specifically to prevent neural tube defects in unborn babies. I keep a packet of these just in case I run out of the 5mg ones (forgetting to order them!!) and take twelve at a time ... 12 x 400mcg = 4.8mg which is as near as dammit to 5mg. I believe some other countries do sell the 5mg strength though, in which case Wedgewood is spot-on.

[Av42 in reply to Lynne279]

Yes have been prescribed the 5mg ones and as they are due to run out a month before my first injection after loading doses thought it might be an idea to stay a bit topped up as don't think I'll be getting another blood test until about December. Thanks for info .

[Lynne279 in reply to Av42]

I believe you're meant to stay on the folic acid daily even when you're no longer on loading doses of B12. In your position, I would ask for another prescription for folic acid so you can continue with it. If they refuse, I would ask for the folic acid blood test to be brought forward.

[Av42 in reply to Lynne279]

Will ask when go back in October thanks .

[Av42]

Thanks all for replys . Regarding b12 spray, any good? Sorry if missed reply to this somewhere 😒

[alice215]

Does Canada sell B12 injection over the counter? Or do you need a prescription? From just another PA patient from the USA

[geronimo1]

I bought supermarket 400mcg folic acid. Because that is a fraction of the 5mg I had on prescription I am taking approx 8 at a time of the 400mcg. Had follow up bloods taken about 10 days ago. Still waiting for results. Will do a comparison with previous blood results.

[Av42]

Thanks for reply. Will be interested to hear results.