[Folic acid: new indications for an old well-known drug].

UNLABELLED: This review deals with the well known drug--folic acid, for which new indications have been discovered in recent years. The drug was used for 50 years in anemia megaloblastia, other anemias with bone marrow hypofunction, in leucopenia and granulocytopenia, in celiac disease and sprue and folic acid deficit during oral anticonceptive drug use. From recent investigations follows that there are strong indications for the use of folic acid in a periconceptual period and during pregnancy (at least 600 micrograms per day) and during lactation--to prevent neural tube defects. To prevent orofacial cleft defects a dose 5 mg a day mast be used. Another important new indication is hyperhomocysteinemia. Folic acid, B12 and B6 vitamins are involved in the metabolic removal of homocysteine, but folic acid deficit occurs the most often. The results of hyperhomocysteinemia are increased risk of arteriosclerosis coronary heart diseases and stroke.

RESULTS

Folic acid is an important factor in preventing congenital defects (especially of the neural tube) and for lowering the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke due to hyperhomocysteinemia (together with vitamins B6 and B12).