5 ASA drugs and Folate

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http://ccfa.org/info/diet?LMI=1.4

I was reading the above article in CCFA and they mention that "Some IBD therapies -- especially the 5-ASA medications (e.g., Asacol,® Pentasa®) -- cause interference with the absorption of folate, which is essential in helping to prevent cancer and birth defects, so it should be taken in supplement form."

"Folic acid (another B vitamin) deficiency is also quite common in patients who are on the drug sulfasalazine. They should take a folate tablet, 1 mg daily, as a supplement"

I have been taking Pentasa for 8 years and not once has my doctor told me to take Folate (Folic acid)!!! What are your experiences with this?:confused2:
 
Mazen said:
http://ccfa.org/info/diet?LMI=1.4

I was reading the above article in CCFA and they mention that "Some IBD therapies -- especially the 5-ASA medications (e.g., Asacol,® Pentasa®) -- cause interference with the absorption of folate, which is essential in helping to prevent cancer and birth defects, so it should be taken in supplement form."

"Folic acid (another B vitamin) deficiency is also quite common in patients who are on the drug sulfasalazine. They should take a folate tablet, 1 mg daily, as a supplement"

I have been taking Pentasa for 8 years and not once has my doctor told me to take Folate (Folic acid)!!! What are your experiences with this?:confused2:

My doctor advised me that I needed to take a supplement. Maybe they are testing your blood and seeing that your levels are okay?
 
Yes, I've had some folate blood tests but only on my request; the last one was more than a year ago. What I noticed is that it is decreasing through the years. Now it is in the low normal range, while I read somewhere that for optimal health it should be in the high normal, the same as with Vit D. I guess I should raise this with my doctor again. I'm now taking a multivitamin which has in it 300 mcg Folate. I don't know if this is enough, as in the article above they mention 1 mg......

CD68: What dosage is the supplement you are taking?
 
Mazen said:
Yes, I've had some folate blood tests but only on my request; the last one was more than a year ago. What I noticed is that it is decreasing through the years. Now it is in the low normal range, while I read somewhere that for optimal health it should be in the high normal, the same as with Vit D. I guess I should raise this with my doctor again. I'm now taking a multivitamin which has in it 300 mcg Folate. I don't know if this is enough, as in the article above they mention 1 mg......

CD68: What dosage is the supplement you are taking?

The nurse practioner told me on the phone "oh and Dr. Gastro wants you to take supplmental B12 and folate" She didn't say and I didn't think to ask at the time so for now I'm taking over the counter supplement. I think in response to the 1mg reference I'll increase my dosage to that amount I'm pretty sure I'm not taking that amount now and then next time I go in to see them I'll get more details. I'll also ask about my bloodwork.

I'm not too happy that "minor" details such as dosage weren't conveyed to me, (I imagine that you aren't thrilled about finding out that supplementing is standard care.) Maybe the nurse practioner is new to the practice.

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