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What was that about Folic Acid?

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Posted 3/19/2008 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I remember coming across something to the effect of 5-ASA's/Mesalamine can leach Folic Acid out of the body or inhibit absorbtion of it. Is this correct?

If this is true, does a Folic Acid supplement really help? Does it bypass the amount that gets leached out and manage to get in where it needs to go?

Posted 3/19/2008 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
My GI has me taking 1 mg of folic acid per day. I guess it's supposed to help reduce the chance of colon cancer. He takes it too. It's cheap and you can get it over the counter.
James
Posted 3/19/2008 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Good question and I wonder about this myself. I know with sulfasalazine a person must take folic acid, but didn't think it was as important with other 5ASA's. My son's doctor rx'd folic acid, but my daughter's doctor says not until she is of child bearing age. I know of a child that took sulfasalazine and not folic acid and she suffered a stroke due to folic acid depletion.

Anyone out there know if all 5ASA's need folic acid supplementation?
Posted 3/19/2008 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I think the sulfa component of sulfasalazine is what makes folic acid supplement necessary. The other 5-ASAs do not contain any form of sulfa. Folic acid supplement is also advisable during major flares to support tissue repair. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 3/19/2008 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
I think Old Hat is right. I will ask my new GI tomorrow if I remember. This has been something I've been wondering, too.
Posted 3/19/2008 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
lots of different medicines can deplete your vitamin B levels, and also make it harder to absorbthose vitamins.  It never hurts to take folic acid or other b vitamins.  If you are a woman of child bearing age, you shoudl definetly be taking it, especially any woman with health problems, it can help reduce the risk of birth defects.  Also, taking B-12 can help with your energy level, as can the folic acid.  Anyway, you can't overdoes on it, unless you take a few bottles, so it won't hurt you or anything, and it is cheap
Posted 3/19/2008 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
thanks all for your knowledge and advice. Don't get me wrong, since I've read that article, I've been taking a Folic Acid supplement for oh, about a month or two. Even though my multivitamin has it.
summerstorm - i didn't know that about Vit. B-12, we have that at home, I'll look and ask further abt exactly what gets depleted and what needs replenishing in regard to the medications and their side effects.
Posted 3/20/2008 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again. I asked the GI at Mayo Clinic this question yesterday. He said people on sulphasalazine (sp?) do need to take folic acid, but those taking Asacol and other 5-ASA drugs do not need to, unless they are females trying to get pregnant.
Posted 3/20/2008 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Take a multi B and you should be covered.

q
Posted 3/21/2008 6:32 AM (GMT 0)
what does a B vitamin help with and specifically in relation to UC?
Posted 3/21/2008 8:16 AM (GMT 0)
Just to briefly add to the Folic Acid discussion -- Folic Acid is also good for people who take immunosupressors (like 6MP) because it helps promote overall blood health. For those of us getting our blood tested regularly to monitor white blood count, etc., Folic Acid is a good thing.

On the plus side for all of us-- the pills are really small! It's easy to add them to your daily pill regimen. (Not like trying to decide to take a monster omega-3 gel thingy. Ugh!)
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