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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea While On Folvite
Posted on
Thu, 1 Dec 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 1 Dec 2016
Answered on
Thu, 22 Dec 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi Doctor,
My father is suffering from Diarrohea since past 15 days or so. He is 65 years old. Doctor has prescribed folvite which is folic acid i guess. He gets very much difficulty while having any medicine as it causes constipation. I want to know if Iron and Folic are the same things? What are the other side effects of this?
My father is suffering from Diarrohea since past 15 days or so. He is 65 years old. Doctor has prescribed folvite which is folic acid i guess. He gets very much difficulty while having any medicine as it causes constipation. I want to know if Iron and Folic are the same things? What are the other side effects of this?
Brief Answer:
Both are different
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can under your concern towards your father's health and I try my best to resolve some of your doubts towards treatment of your father
1) Iron and folic acid are different. Iron is trace-element (electrolyte) which is required in less quantity in daily food-intake. Whereas, folic acid is vitamin supplement
2) Not all but some patients develop loose stool with folic acid supplementation. Iron supplementation is given in very small quantity which doesn't cause any serious side effects.
3) These medicines are for nutritional supplementation only, but whether any treatment was given for diarrhea?
4) Before starting any treatment for diarrhea, it is essential to find out whether it is due to infection or some other causes. For this, simple routine stool examination is sufficient.
5) If it is due to invective source then specific antibiotics must be started. If frequency of stool >6-7 times/day then you can give him anti-motility class of medication to reduce stool frequency also.
Both are different
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can under your concern towards your father's health and I try my best to resolve some of your doubts towards treatment of your father
1) Iron and folic acid are different. Iron is trace-element (electrolyte) which is required in less quantity in daily food-intake. Whereas, folic acid is vitamin supplement
2) Not all but some patients develop loose stool with folic acid supplementation. Iron supplementation is given in very small quantity which doesn't cause any serious side effects.
3) These medicines are for nutritional supplementation only, but whether any treatment was given for diarrhea?
4) Before starting any treatment for diarrhea, it is essential to find out whether it is due to infection or some other causes. For this, simple routine stool examination is sufficient.
5) If it is due to invective source then specific antibiotics must be started. If frequency of stool >6-7 times/day then you can give him anti-motility class of medication to reduce stool frequency also.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
Answered by
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