Folic acid is one of the B vitamins the body requires for building new cells; however, too much folic acid causes sleep disorders, gastric upset, confusion and behavioral changes, according to WebMD. Individuals who take the recommended amount or less are unlikely to experience side effects.
Folic acid comes from fruits, vegetables and dried beans, according to Drugs.com. It is essential to building new cells and helps to prevent changes in the DNA that lead to cancer. For best results, a patient should speak with his doctor about the recommended amount of folic acid that is right for him. Doctors sometimes change the dosage of the medication as a patient needs change.
Folic acid is sometimes useful in individuals with kidney disease, according to WebMD. It helps to reduce the chances of stroke or heart attack in these patients. It is also included in prenatal vitamins to help prevent neural tube birth defects.
Some people have a serious allergic reaction to folic acid, according to Drugs.com. These individuals should seek immediate medical care. Others find the vitamin causes sleep problems or stomach upset. In some people, folic acid causes depression. With such problems, the patient should speak with his doctor to see if the benefits of folic acid are worth enduring the negative effects it causes.