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Beseha
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The 30-second answer
If you could get pregnant, take 400 mcg folic acid every day: the NHS says start 3 months before pregnancy and continue until week 12. The cheapest option is Puritan’s Pride Folic Acid 400 mcg at about EGP 2.4 a day. If you have diabetes, epilepsy or a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect, a doctor may prescribe 5 mg. Folic acid is the only form shown to prevent these defects, even with an MTHFR variant.
Why does folic acid matter?
- It protects the baby: the US CDC says 400 mcg a day helps prevent neural tube defects, serious birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine.
- Before you know you are pregnant: the neural tube forms early, so the CDC says start at least one month before pregnancy, and the NHS says ideally 3 months.
- For every woman who could get pregnant: the CDC calls 400 mcg a day a healthy habit even if you are not planning a pregnancy now.
- Other vitamins: we cover vitamin D and iron in pregnancy in pregnancy vitamins by trimester.
Who needs a higher dose (5 mg)?
The NHS says a doctor prescribes the higher dose, from before pregnancy until week 12, if:
- You or the baby’s father has a neural tube defect, or a relative with one.
- You had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect (the CDC says 4,000 mcg in that case).
- You have diabetes.
- You have sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia, or take medicine for epilepsy or HIV.
Folic acid or methylfolate?
Many products claim methylfolate is “better” for people with an MTHFR variant. The CDC says this is not true: people with the variant can process all types of folate, the same 400 mcg of folic acid is advised, and folic acid is the only form shown to prevent neural tube defects.
Folic acid on its own
#1
400 mcgFolic acidBest value
Puritan’s Pride Folic Acid 400 mcg – 250 Tablets
The dose health authorities recommend
EGP 600
EGP 2.4 per day · 250 days
- The page: 400 mcg folic acid per tablet
- One tablet a day; 250 tablets last over 8 months
- The lowest cost per day here
Heads-up: Folic acid only; no vitamin D or iodine, so ask your doctor if you need them
Prenatal multis with folic acid
If you want iron, iodine and vitamin D in the same tablet. If you are not pregnant, see the best women’s vitamins in Egypt.
#2
Prenatal multiWith iron
Limitless Prenatal Original – 30 Tablets
An Egyptian prenatal multi at a low price
EGP 165
EGP 5.5 per day · 30 days
- The pack: for before, during and after pregnancy, with beta-carotene, iron and folic acid
- The page: one tablet a day after food
- 30 tablets last a month
Heads-up: The folic acid amount is not on the page or readable in the photo; check the box
#3
With DHAWith iron
Limitless Prenatal Max – 30 Capsules
A prenatal multi with DHA
EGP 210
EGP 7.0 per day · 30 days
- The pack: supports pregnancy and fetal development, with DHA and folic acid
- The page: iron, calcium, vitamin D and B vitamins
- 30 softgels last a month
Heads-up: The folic acid amount is not on the page; check the box
#4
800 mcgWith iodine
Puritan’s Pride Prenatal – 100 Caplets
An imported pregnancy and nursing multi
EGP 850
EGP 8.5 per day · 100 days
- The page: 800 mcg folic acid and 28 mg iron per caplet
- The page: plus 150 mcg iodine, 400 IU vitamin D3 and 200 mg calcium
- One caplet a day with a meal; 100 caplets last 100 days
Heads-up: 800 mcg is more than the recommended 400; ask your doctor if you take other folic acid
#5
600 mcgWith omega-3
Bonavidea Fertina – 30 + 30 Capsules
Vitamins, minerals and omega-3 in two capsules
EGP 900
EGP 30.0 per day · 30 days
- The page: 600 mcg folic acid in the hard capsule, with 18 vitamins and minerals including iron and iodine
- The page: the omega-3 softgel has 225 mg DHA and 45 mg EPA
- One of each a day, for 30 days
Heads-up: The priciest per day here (EGP 30)
Methylfolate: on medical advice
These three contain methylfolate, two at doses far above 400 mcg. Per the CDC, they are not the first choice for prevention.
#6
600 mcgMethylfolate
ORA Methyl Folate 600 mcg – 60 Capsules
Folate in its active form, made in Egypt
EGP 180
EGP 3.0 per capsule · 60 capsules
- The page: 600 mcg L-methylfolate per capsule
- The page: free from folic acid and gluten
- 60 capsules per pack
Heads-up: The US CDC says folic acid is the only form of folate shown to prevent neural tube defects
#7
1700 mcg DFEHigh dose
Life Extension Optimized Folate – 100 Tablets
A high dose of methylfolate
EGP 1,035
EGP 10.4 per tablet · 100 tablets
- The pack: 1700 mcg DFE L-methylfolate per tablet
- 100 vegetarian tablets
- The page: one tablet a day or as your doctor advises
Heads-up: A much higher dose than 400; not for use without a doctor
#8
1000 mcgVegan
NOW Methyl Folate 1000 mcg – 90 Tablets
Imported methylfolate
EGP 1,600
EGP 17.8 per tablet · 90 tablets
- The pack: 1000 mcg methylfolate (Quatrefolic)
- 90 vegetarian tablets
- By NOW Foods
Heads-up: The highest price per tablet here, and a higher dose than 400; ask your doctor
What does it cost per day?
| Product | Folate | Price | Per day/unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puritan’s Pride Folic Acid 400 mcg – 250 Tablets | 400 mcg | EGP 600 | EGP 2.4 |
| ORA Methyl Folate 600 mcg – 60 Capsules | 600 (methyl) | EGP 180 | EGP 3.0 |
| Limitless Prenatal Original – 30 Tablets | Not stated | EGP 165 | EGP 5.5 |
| Limitless Prenatal Max – 30 Capsules | Not stated | EGP 210 | EGP 7.0 |
| Puritan’s Pride Prenatal – 100 Caplets | 800 mcg | EGP 850 | EGP 8.5 |
| Life Extension Optimized Folate – 100 Tablets | 1700 DFE (methyl) | EGP 1,035 | EGP 10.4 |
| NOW Methyl Folate 1000 mcg – 90 Tablets | 1000 (methyl) | EGP 1,600 | EGP 17.8 |
| Bonavidea Fertina – 30 + 30 Capsules | 600 mcg | EGP 900 | EGP 30.0 |
Watch out
- One product only: if your prenatal multi has folic acid, do not add more without your doctor.
- Vitamin A: the NHS says avoid cod liver oil and supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) while pregnant.
- Vitamin D: the same source advises 10 mcg a day, and never more than 100.
- The high dose (5 mg) is prescription-only and does not replace antenatal care.
Not sure which one?
Beseha pharmacists answer on WhatsApp. Tap the “Ask a pharmacist” button, tell them how far along you are and your medicines, and they will help you choose.
FAQ
How much folic acid before pregnancy?
400 mcg a day, ideally starting three months before pregnancy per the NHS, or at least one month before per the US CDC.
How long should I take folic acid in pregnancy?
Until week 12 per the NHS; the CDC advises continuing through pregnancy.
Who needs 5 mg of folic acid?
Women where either parent or a relative has a neural tube defect, after an affected pregnancy, or with diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia or epilepsy medicines, on prescription.
Is methylfolate better than folic acid?
No. The CDC says folic acid is the only form shown to prevent neural tube defects, and an MTHFR variant is not a reason to avoid it.
What is the cheapest folic acid in Egypt?
Puritan’s Pride Folic Acid 400 mcg, 250 tablets for EGP 600, about EGP 2.4 a day.
Do prenatal vitamins replace folic acid?
Yes, if they contain at least 400 mcg; check the amount on the box and do not add more folic acid without your doctor.
Read next: pregnancy vitamins by trimester and the best women’s vitamins in Egypt.
The bottom line
400 mcg folic acid every day from before pregnancy until week 12 is enough for most women, and Puritan’s Pride is the cheapest. If you have a risk factor, your doctor will prescribe 5 mg. Methylfolate is not better than folic acid, per the CDC.
Pregnancy and nursing supplements at Beseha →
Sources
- NHS: Vitamins, supplements and nutrition in pregnancy
- US CDC: About folic acid
- US CDC: MTHFR gene variant and folic acid
This content is for information and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Prices and availability may change; the final price is on the product page.
