Folate deficiency anaemia

Macrocytic anaemia from impaired DNA synthesis in folate deficiency. Develops with insufficient dietary intake, malabsorption, increased demand (pregnancy, haemolysis), or use of folate antagonists (methotrexate, trimethoprim, phenytoin).

ICD-10 D521 drug

Also known as: Megaloblastic anaemia from folate deficiency

Drugs used for this condition

AFolic acidFirst line · Vitamins. Haemopoietic stimulantsFolic acid 1–5 mg daily for 1–4 months is first-line for folate deficiency anaemia. Clinical response: reticulocyte crisis at 5–10 days, haemoglobin normalisation over 1–2 months. Co-existing B12 deficiency must be excluded before starting therapy – isolated folate use in unrecognised B12 deficiency masks anaemia but does not prevent neurological degeneration.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit