Can Too Much Folic Acid Be Harmful to Children?

If you have purchased Walgreens Children’s Multivitamin Gummies, you or your child may have unknowingly been exposed to excessive amounts of folic acid. Too much folic acid may result in dangerous side effects, including cancer. Hiring a skilled attorney may be the first step towards filing a class action lawsuit and pursuing compensation for your injuries.

What are Walgreens Children’s Multivitamins?

Walgreens Children’s Multivitamins
are sold at many Walgreens locations and are marketed for children ages 1 to 13. Although these vitamins are sold as a healthy dietary supplement, they may actually contain dangerous levels of folic acid.

What is Folic Acid?

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B-9, is an essential B-vitamin. Folic acid is necessary for several important bodily processes, including making DNA, and the production, maintenance, and division of cells. Folic acid naturally occurs in many foods, including fruits, leafy green vegetables, and dried beans, peas, and nuts.

It is also often included in multivitamins and other dietary supplements. Many people take folic acid supplements to help prevent anemia, memory loss, osteoporosis, depression, vitiligo, and age-related problems including hearing loss and eye disease.

Folic acid supplements are also often recommended to women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. They may help to prevent miscarriage and birth defects including spina bifida and anencephaly.

Dangers of Too Much Folic Acid

Although the human body needs a certain amount of folic acid, too much of the vitamin can result in serious side effects. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends daily dosages of between 65 mcg and 300 mcg of folic acid for children under 13, and 400 mcp for youths and adults age 14 and older.

Women who are pregnant or nursing may need higher levels of folic acid, and may be recommended to consume as much as 600 mcg per day.

Consuming more than the recommended daily amount of folic acid may lead to several adverse effects, including a heightened risk of cancer. Too much folic acid may lead to an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer.

Additionally, an overdose of folic acid in the body may mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can result in permanent nerve damage to the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.

Symptoms of excessive levels of folic acid in the body may include:

• Upset stomach or abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Nervousness
• Sleep disorders or disruptions
• Behavioral changes
• Skin reactions
• Seizures

If you or your child have taken Walgreens Children’s Multivitamins and experienced side effects due to an excessive amount of folic acid in your body, you may qualify to join a class action lawsuit regarding dangerous supplements and vitamins.

Walgreens is not the only children’s multivitamin company accused of negligence. For their Flintstone’s Complete Gummies, Bayer has also seen class action litigation because of alleged improper labeling of children’s multivitamins.

Consumers who would not have purchased folic acid supplements had they been given a proper warning may be able to take legal action, both to seek compensation and to deter companies from misrepresenting their products.

Join a Free Walgreens Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased Walgreens Multivitamin Children’s Gummies, you may qualify to participate in this excessive folic acid class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.