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Drug Information Center, SCHOOL OF PHARMACY, UoG

University of Gondar Specialized Hospital, Room No.
Phone: +251
Fax: +251
Name:Blen G/kirstos ID NO:116642/09

Drug Information Response Form

Ref#: Blen Inquiry Date: 1/09/2014

To: yonas alemayew

Method of Response:

Email: yonasalemayew@gmail.com Fax: -

Mail:
________________________________________________________________________ ______

Subject:

Why should we avoid intake of coffee and tea while taking folic acid?

Because, the association between caffeinated beverage consumption and serum folate levels
found that the folate tended to decrease with increasing intake of ca ffeinated beverages, despite
increases in dietary folate intake.

Although the underlying biological mechanism remains uncertain, there are two possible
explanations regarding the negative effects of caffeine on folate levels.

First, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and acts as a diuretic, thus increasing the
rate of elimination of folate. Second, caffeine may a ffect the metabolism of homocysteine, an
intermediate product of methionine recycling in the liver via a process that requires (and
ultimately consumes) folate and the vitamins B2, B6, and B12.

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References Used:

 1. Drug dex  2. Clinical Pharmacology Online  3. Drug Information Handbook

(Lexi-Comp’s)

4. AHFS Drug Information  5. Martindale  6. Uptodate

 7. Internet (http://jeaweb.jp/english/journal/index.html)

 Other:

Approved by:

Disclaimer:

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professionals. This service is not intended to be a replacement for appropriate medical or
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health care professional.
Every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information contained in these
pages. However, in view of the possibility of human error or change in drug therapy information,
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guarantee regarding the accuracy or completeness of this data.
The parties mentioned above also disclaim any responsibility for the errors, omissions or for the
results or consequences obtained from the use of information provided by AAU Drug Information
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and reliance upon the information.

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