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Folic acid

Last Updated:
3 Aug 2009
Review Due Date:
3 Feb 2010
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Many doctors suggest that if you are a woman of childbearing age with epilepsy, you should take folic acid supplements of five milligrams a day. You should start these before you get pregnant and carry on taking them during the first three months of pregnancy. Some doctors suggest that ideally, you should take five milligrams of folic acid daily all the time, as accidental pregnancies are common.

Folic acid may interact with the anti-epileptic drugs phenytoin, phenobarbital and primidone, making them less effective. For this reason, if you are taking any of these anti-epileptic drugs, it is important to seek advice from your doctor before taking folic acid supplements.

 

 

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  • Sexual development (puberty)
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  • Contraception
  • The menopause and HRT
  • Epilepsy and fertility
  • Planning a baby
  • Scans and tests during pregnancy
  • Giving birth
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  • Caring for children
  • Inheriting epilepsy
  • How you can help Epilepsy Action
  • Epilepsy Mine

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