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folic acid

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Brand names: Folvite

B Vitamin (Folate) Supplement OTC

Integra FTM is a medicine that helps treat iron and folate deficiencies. It is also used during pregnancy to prevent and treat iron deficiency and provide folic acid.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

$0.02/unit

Generic Available

Yes (9 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

Integra FTM treats iron deficiency anemia and folate deficiency anemia.

Common side effects

Upset stomach, Nausea, Diarrhea

Key warnings

Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in young children.

How It Works

Integra FTM contains two types of iron that your body can use. These iron types help to increase the amount of iron in your blood. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps your body make new blood cells.

How to Take It

Adults and children over 12 should take one capsule daily. Take it between meals, or as your doctor tells you. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years old.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Integra FTM can be used during pregnancy to prevent and treat iron deficiency and to provide folic acid. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Storage

Store Integra FTM in a cool, dry place, away from light and moisture, and out of reach of children.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 183,083 FDA adverse event reports.

The medicine did not work
24,766
Feeling tired
23,332
Pain
23,058
Joint pain
19,493
Rheumatoid arthritis
17,527
Using the medicine for a different purpose than approved
17,321
Feeling sick to your stomach
15,636
Headache
14,211
Diarrhea
14,143
Skin rash
13,596

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 241,433 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2003–2025.

Total Reports

241,433

Death-Related Reports

22,144

Hospitalization Reports

87,188

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 152,545 (68%)
Male 70,365 (32%)

Age Distribution

0–17 5,548
18–44 31,217
45–64 61,818
65–74 35,410
75+ 25,879

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 24,765
2 FATIGUE 23,332
3 PAIN 23,054
4 ARTHRALGIA 19,495
5 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS 17,528
6 OFF LABEL USE 17,321
7 NAUSEA 15,633
8 HEADACHE 14,211
9 DIARRHOEA 14,142
10 RASH 13,595
11 DYSPNOEA 13,157
12 ALOPECIA 11,667
13 ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT 11,665
14 JOINT SWELLING 11,529
15 CONDITION AGGRAVATED 11,126

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 5,981
PNEUMONIA 2,632
OFF LABEL USE 2,622
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION 2,540
FATIGUE 2,504
DIARRHOEA 2,332
VOMITING 2,210
DYSPNOEA 2,194
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS 2,150
RASH 2,134

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

FATIGUE 7,987
PNEUMONIA 7,501
PAIN 7,490
DYSPNOEA 7,236
ARTHRALGIA 6,934
DIARRHOEA 6,899
OFF LABEL USE 6,816
NAUSEA 6,613
PYREXIA 6,481
DRUG INEFFECTIVE 6,171

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in young children. Keep this medicine away from children. If someone overdoses, call a doctor or poison control center right away. Folic acid alone is not the right treatment for pernicious anemia or other megaloblastic anemias where Vitamin B12 is lacking.

Known Drug Interactions

With oral dapsone treatment, folic acid antagonists such as pyrimethamine have been noted to possibly increase the likelihood of hematologic reactions.

Mechanism: Using these drugs together can increase the chance of having blood problems because they both affect how your body handles folic acid.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood counts and watch for signs of blood-related side effects.

In RA, concomitant medications besides MTX were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), folic acid, corticosteroids and/or narcotics. In PsA clinical trials, concomitant medications included MTX in approximately half of the patients as well as NSAIDs, folic acid and corticosteroids.

Mechanism: There is no known negative interaction between these two drugs, and they are frequently used together to manage rheumatoid arthritis.

What to do: It is generally safe to take these medications together as directed by your doctor.

Folic Acid Coadministration of methotrexate with folic acid or its derivatives decreases the clinical effectiveness of methotrexate in patients with neoplastic diseases.

Mechanism: Folic acid can interfere with how methotrexate works to treat cancer, making the medication less effective.

What to do: Talk to your doctor before taking folic acid, as it may stop your methotrexate treatment from working as well as it should.

Table 1: Drugs That Affect Phenytoin Concentrations Interacting Agent Examples Drugs that may increase phenytoin serum levels Antiepileptic drugs Ethosuximide, felbamate, oxcarbazepine, methsuximide, topiramate Azoles Fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, miconazole, voriconazole Antineoplastic agents Capecitabine, fluorouracil Antidepressants Fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, sertraline Gastric acid reducing agents H 2 antagonists (cimetidine), omeprazole Sulfonamides Sulfamethizole, sulfaphenazole, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim Other Acute alcohol intake, amiodarone, chloramphenic...

Mechanism: Taking these two together can cause the levels of both drugs in your blood to drop, making them both less effective.

What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor your blood levels and adjust the doses for both your phenytoin and your folic acid supplement.

• Additionally, concurrent use of folic acid has been associated with enhanced phenytoin metabolism, lowering the level of the AED in the blood and allowing breakthrough seizures to occur. • Cholestyramine: Reduces folic acid absorption and reduces serum folate levels. • Colestipol: Reduces folic acid absorption and reduces serum folate levels.

Mechanism: Taking a folic acid supplement along with a multivitamin that already contains it increases the total amount of this vitamin in your body.

What to do: Consult your healthcare provider to make sure the total amount of folic acid you are taking is safe and necessary.

Common Questions

What should I do if I accidentally take too much Integra FTM?
Call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
Can I take Integra FTM with food?
Taking Integra FTM after meals may help with stomach upset.
Will Integra FTM change the color of my stool?
Yes, iron may turn stools black, but this is a harmless effect.
Can children take Integra FTM?
Do not give Integra FTM to children under 12 years old.
Is it okay to take other supplements while taking Integra FTM?
Talk to your doctor before taking other supplements with Integra FTM.
What if I have a history of stomach ulcers?
Use Integra FTM with care if you have a peptic ulcer, regional enteritis, or ulcerative colitis.
How often should I have blood tests while taking this medicine?
Have blood tests at the usual intervals to make sure the therapy is working.
What does 'Rx only' mean?
Rx only means this medicine requires a prescription from a doctor.
Can folic acid hide the symptoms of pernicious anemia?
Yes, folic acid may hide the signs and symptoms of pernicious anemia.
When is the best time to take Integra FTM?
Integra FTM is best absorbed when taken at bedtime.
What are the common side effects of folic acid?
The most commonly reported side effects of folic acid include Upset stomach, Nausea, Diarrhea, Constipation, Heartburn. Based on 183,083 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does folic acid interact with other medications?
Yes, folic acid has 5 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include dapsone topical, infliximab, methotrexate. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is folic acid?
folic acid belongs to the B Vitamin (Folate) Supplement drug class. It is available over the counter (OTC). Integra FTM treats iron deficiency anemia and folate deficiency anemia.
Is folic acid safe during pregnancy?
Integra FTM can be used during pregnancy to prevent and treat iron deficiency and to provide folic acid. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Has folic acid been recalled?
There are 5 recalls associated with folic acid products. Lack of Assurance of Sterility. Check the recalls section below for full details and affected products.

Active Recalls

Class II March 7, 2022

Lack of Assurance of Sterility

TMC Acquisition LLC dba Tailor Made Compounding

Class II November 17, 2016

Lack of Assurance of Sterility

Tri-Coast Pharmacy

Class II November 17, 2016

Lack of Assurance of Sterility

Tri-Coast Pharmacy

Class II November 17, 2016

Lack of Assurance of Sterility

Tri-Coast Pharmacy

Class II November 17, 2016

Lack of Assurance of Sterility

Tri-Coast Pharmacy

Related Medications in B Vitamin (Folate) Supplement

Other drugs grouped near folic acid — same-class peers and common alternatives.

Compare folic acid vs ascorbic acid side-by-side →

Medication Guides

Related Health & Safety Data

What the FDA Data Shows for folic acid

The FDA label for folic acid (sold under brand names such as Folvite) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the B Vitamin (Folate) Supplement class. Integra FTM treats iron deficiency anemia and folate deficiency anemia. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Upset stomach, Nausea, Diarrhea.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 183,083 voluntary reports. The database also lists 5 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.02.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 5 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: November 8, 2022

All federal data sources used on this page