I am twenty eight years old. My husband and I decided to try for a baby. My doctor gave me one simple instruction. Start taking folic acid tablets every day. I had heard of folic acid but did not know why it was important. I also had no idea about folic acid tablet price in Pakistan. After visiting five different pharmacies, I learned that folic acid tablet price in Pakistan varies widely. Here is what every woman should know.

What Are Folic Acid Tablets and Why Do You Need Them

Folic acid tablets are a form of vitamin B9. This vitamin is essential for the formation of a baby's brain and spine in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Many women do not even know they are pregnant during those first weeks. That is why doctors recommend taking folic acid tablets even before you conceive. Folic acid tablets reduce the risk of neural tube defects by up to seventy percent. They are also good for your own health. Folic acid tablets help your body produce red blood cells and prevent a type of anemia.

The Confusing Range of Folic Acid Tablet Price in Pakistan

When I first went to buy folic acid tablets, I was confused. A strip of ten tablets cost thirty rupees at one pharmacy. At another pharmacy, the same number of folic acid tablets cost one hundred fifty rupees. I asked the pharmacist why. He explained that folic acid tablet price in Pakistan depends on the brand and the dosage. Basic folic acid tablets with five hundred micrograms cost very little. Higher doses like one milligram or five milligrams cost more. Also, some brands combine folic acid tablets with other vitamins like B12 or iron. Those combination tablets have a higher folic acid tablet price in Pakistan.

Which Folic Acid Tablet Price in Pakistan Should You Pay

My doctor prescribed five hundred micrograms of folic acid tablets. That is the standard dose for women trying to conceive. I did not need extra vitamins because my diet was good. So I chose the basic folic acid tablets. The folic acid tablet price in Pakistan for a strip of ten was thirty five rupees. One strip lasts ten days. So for a full month, the folic acid tablet price in Pakistan was about one hundred five rupees. That is nothing compared to the benefit. Some women need higher doses if they have certain medical conditions or a family history of neural tube defects. In that case, the folic acid tablet price in Pakistan for one milligram tablets might be around eighty rupees per strip.

Where to Find the Best Folic Acid Tablet Price in Pakistan

I found that government hospitals sell folic acid tablets at a very low price. The folic acid tablet price in Pakistan at a government hospital pharmacy was twenty five rupees per strip. Private pharmacies charged thirty five to fifty rupees. Online medical stores charged more because of delivery fees. The folic acid tablet price in Pakistan was highest at upscale pharmacies in malls. I bought my folic acid tablets from a small medical store near my home. The owner gave me a discount when I bought a box of one hundred tablets. That brought my folic acid tablet price in Pakistan down to twenty eight rupees per strip.

How to Take Folic Acid Tablets Correctly

The pharmacist told me to take folic acid tablets at the same time every day. I take mine after breakfast. Folic acid tablets can be taken with or without food, but taking them with food reduces nausea. Some women feel slightly nauseous when they start folic acid tablets. That goes away after a few days. Do not stop taking folic acid tablets if you feel a little sick. The benefits far outweigh the discomfort. Continue taking folic acid tablets throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. Some doctors recommend continuing folic acid tablets throughout the entire pregnancy.

My Experience with Folic Acid Tablets

I have been taking folic acid tablets for four months now. I conceived two months ago. My first ultrasound showed a healthy baby with a properly formed spine and brain. I know that folic acid tablets are not the only factor, but they played a big role. I also feel more energetic. My blood work shows healthy red blood cell levels. The folic acid tablet price in Pakistan is so low that there is no excuse not to take them. If you are trying to conceive or even thinking about it, start folic acid tablets today. Do not wait for a positive pregnancy test. By then, the most important development has already happened.

Final Advice for All Women of Childbearing Age

Do not be confused by the range of folic acid tablet price in Pakistan. Basic folic acid tablets are affordable for everyone. If you cannot afford even the low folic acid tablet price in Pakistan, visit a government hospital. They often give folic acid tablets for free or at a very subsidized rate. Also, do not buy folic acid tablets in bulk without checking the expiry date. Folic acid tablets lose potency over time. Buy a three month supply at most. And always store folic acid tablets in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Your baby's future depends on these small, cheap, lifesaving tablets.