Posted by OldSchool on March 18, 2002, at 19:21:08
In reply to Lamictal and Folic Acid, posted by Bekka H. on March 18, 2002, at 15:52:37
> Hi everyone. Lamictal is an anti-folate compound. It interferes with the synthesis of folate (folic acid is an important vitamin). I'd like to know whether any Lamictal users take extra folic acid? I've just started on Lamictal and I think I should be taking extra folic acid. I understand that, in the United States, any vitamin with more than a certain amount of folic acid requires a prescription because folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. I don't know how much extra folic acid to take. Do you?
Bekka, it is true that all of these anticonvulsants deplete folic acid and if you are to be on one longterm it is probably wise to take a supplement. This would be a question for your doctor really. However, I do know you arent supposed to take supplements of individual B vitamins such as folic acid supplements. What you are supposed to do is take a B-50 or B-100 complex vitamin. A B-100 complex vitamin contains 100 mg of all the B vitamins, except for folic acid. If I remember correctly, the maximum any OTC vitamin has in folic acid is only 400 micrograms. A little of that stuff goes a long way evidently and its easy to overdo folic acid.
Dont forget plain old Centrum multivitamins contain 400 mcg in folic acid. Might be as good as anything to take.
Old School
poster:OldSchool
thread:98608
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/98653.html