Folic acid 5 mg vs 400 mcg

Dosage

How much folic acid you take and how long you take it for depends on why you need it.

Dose before and during early pregnancy

It is recommended to take folic acid while you're trying for a baby (ideally for 3 months before) and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The usual dose if you're trying to get pregnant and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is 400 micrograms, taken once a day.

Your doctor or midwife may recommend taking folic acid throughout pregnancy, particularly if you are at risk of anaemia or are anaemic.

If you have a higher chance of having a baby with a neural tube defect your doctor will recommended an increased dose of 5mg, taken once a day.

Dose for treating folate deficiency anaemia

To treat anaemia, the usual dose for adults and children over 1 year old is 5mg, taken once a day.

Sometimes the dose is increased to 15mg a day.

If your child is under 12 months old, the doctor will use your child's weight to work out the right dose.

You'll usually take it for 4 months.

But if your folate deficiency anaemi

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