Can I take folic acid while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A plain-words look at what the NHS, the US drug label and LactMed say about folic acid.
In short
Pregnancy: Folic acid is commonly taken in pregnancy, but if you're not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
Breastfeeding: Folic acid tablets and liquid can usually be taken during breastfeeding, but ask a pharmacist or doctor first.
Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.
What this means for you
Pregnancy
- Some women need a higher dose of folic acid than usual during pregnancy.
- If you're pregnant, you should also ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking a multivitamin that includes folic acid.
Breastfeeding
- Side effects in breastfed babies from medicines their mother uses are rare, but talk to a healthcare professional if anything about your baby worries you.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
This page is educational, not advice for your own situation. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before you start, stop or change any medicine in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
The details: what each source says
Folic acid in pregnancy
The NHS says
Folic acid is commonly taken in pregnancy, but if you're not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking it.
Some women need a higher dose of folic acid than usual during pregnancy.
If you're pregnant, you should also ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking a multivitamin that includes folic acid.
In our words, from the NHS page Folic acid (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
The US drug label says
Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category A Folic acid is usually indicated in the treatment of megaloblastic anemias of pregnancy. Folic acid requirements are markedly increased during pregnancy, and deficiency will result in fetal damage (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ) . Studies in pregnant women have not shown that folic acid increases the risk of fetal abnormalities if administered during pregnancy. If the drug is used during pregnancy, the possibility of fetal harm appears remote. Because studies cannot rule out the possibility of harm, however, folic acid should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Prescribing label, section “Pregnancy”: Folic Acid (oral), REMEDYREPACK INC. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
More on folic acid in pregnancy: Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) leaflet (external site).
Folic acid while breastfeeding
The NHS says
Folic acid tablets and liquid can usually be taken during breastfeeding, but ask a pharmacist or doctor first.
Side effects in breastfed babies from medicines their mother uses are rare, but talk to a healthcare professional if anything about your baby worries you.
In our words, from the NHS page Folic acid (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
The US prescribing label says
Nursing Mothers Folic acid is excreted in the milk of lactating mothers. During lactation, folic acid requirements are markedly increased; however, amounts present in human milk are adequate to fulfill infant requirements, although supplementation may be needed in low-birth-weight infants, in those who are breast-fed by mothers with folic acid deficiency (50 µg daily), or in those with infections or prolonged diarrhea.
Prescribing label, section “Nursing Mothers”: Folic Acid (oral), REMEDYREPACK INC. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
Other names
UK brand names (per the NHS): Lexpec.
Indian brands (per NPPA): Folvite.
Indian combination brands that include folic acid: Livogen.
Sources
- NHS, Folic acid (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 5 May 2026. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US drug label: Folic Acid (oral), REMEDYREPACK INC., human prescription drug, label effective 11 September 2026, set ID bda4687e-929a-434d-ab59-909cf2ed73a2. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Public domain; quoted verbatim.
- Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy), UK Teratology Information Service: Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) leaflet. Linked, not reproduced.
Sources checked 26 September 2026. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.