Phenytoin—Folic Acid: A Review

The nutrient-drug interaction between folate and phenytoin is a two-way interaction. Folate deficiency resulting from long-term phenytoin therapy is a common occurrence, but progression of the deficiency to a megaloblastic anemia is rare. However, there are data to suggest nonanemic folate deficiency may be detrimental to the patient. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the ability of phenytoin to deplete body folate. The supplementation of folic acid to folate-deficient patients taking phenytoin has been shown to result in lowered serum concentrations of phenytoin, and possibly loss of control of the seizure disorder. Folate appears to be associated with the hepatic metabolism of phenytoin, although the effect of folic acid supplementation on phenytoin elimination kinetics is suggested to be individualized.