What Happens If You Skip a Day of Folic Acid?

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, women of childbearing age should get 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. While consistency is key for this essential B vitamin, it's easy to wonder what happens if you skip a day of folic acid. The short answer is: in most cases, missing a single day is unlikely to cause a significant problem, but it's important to understand why daily intake matters, especially if you are pregnant or planning to be.

Quick Summary

Missing a single dose of folic acid is generally not a cause for panic and has little immediate impact, but consistently skipping doses can lead to low folate levels. This is particularly important for those who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as folic acid is crucial for preventing birth defects like spina bifida.

Key Points

Single Missed Dose is Low Risk: Missing one day of folic acid is unlikely to cause a significant issue for most people, especially if it is not a recurring habit.
Pregnancy Requires Consistency: For women who are or may become pregnant, consistent daily folic acid intake is crucial for preventing neural tube defects, which develop in the very early stages of pregnancy.
Body Doesn't Store Folic Acid: As a water-soluble vitamin, the body uses and flushes out folic acid relatively quickly, necessitating daily intake to maintain adequate levels.
Long-Term Inconsistency is Problematic: Regularly skipping doses can lead to a folate deficiency, which may cause anemia, fatigue, and other health issues over time.
Don't Double Up on Doses: If you miss a day, do not take a double dose the next day, as this is unnecessary and can sometimes cause side effects.
Develop a Routine: The best strategy for consistent intake is to associate your supplement with a daily habit, use a pill organizer, or set a daily alarm.

Folic Acid and Your Body: The Basics

Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate, a B-vitamin vital for making and repairing DNA and producing healthy red blood cells. Our bodies do not store large amounts of this water-soluble vitamin, which is why a consistent daily intake from supplements and fortified foods is necessary to maintain adequate levels. A deficiency in folate can lead to megaloblastic anemia, a condition characterized by abnormally large, dysfunctional red blood cells, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.

Why Folic Acid Is Crucial During Early Pregnancy

One of the most critical roles of folic acid is its function during early fetal development. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, a baby's neural tube forms, which will later become the brain and spinal cord. This happens so early—often before a woman even knows she's pregnant—that adequate folic acid levels are essential from the moment of conception. Insufficient intake during this critical period is a leading cause of neural tube defects (NTDs) like spina bifida and anencephaly, which can lead to lifelong disabilities or be fatal. This is why health organizations worldwide recommend that all women of childbearing age take a daily folic acid supplement.

What to Do If You Skip a Dose

Forgetting to take a supplement happens to everyone. Here's a quick guide on what to do, depending on your situation:

For daily users (non-pregnant): If you remember on the same day, take the dose as soon as you can. If you don't remember until the next day, simply skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to compensate.
For pregnant or planning-to-be pregnant individuals: Don't panic if you miss just one day. While daily intake is ideal, a single missed dose is unlikely to have a major impact. Simply take your next scheduled dose at the usual time and continue your routine. The key is to be consistent over the long term. If you realize you've been inconsistent for a longer period (several weeks or months), speak with your doctor to discuss your needs.

The Importance of Consistent Dosing

The effectiveness of folic acid in preventing NTDs is directly linked to consistent, daily intake. Because the body uses and excretes this water-soluble vitamin quickly, it cannot be stored in large reserves. Maintaining a consistent level in your bloodstream is what provides the necessary support for rapid cell division and healthy fetal development during those crucial first weeks. Inconsistent intake can lead to fluctuations in folate levels, potentially leaving your body vulnerable during a critical window, particularly if a pregnancy is unplanned.

Long-Term Effects of Inconsistent Intake

While a single skipped dose is not a crisis, a habit of skipping days or weeks can be more problematic. This can result in a suboptimal folate level, putting you at higher risk for conditions associated with folate deficiency.

Risks of Long-Term Insufficient Folate


Condition	Effect on the Body
Folate-deficiency Anemia	Causes fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath due to large, poorly-functioning red blood cells.
Increased Homocysteine Levels	Elevated levels of this amino acid are linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Birth Defects (NTDs)	The most severe risk for pregnant individuals, significantly increasing the chance of neural tube defects in the baby.
Cognitive Decline	Some studies link low folate levels with reduced cognitive function, especially in older adults.
Mental Health Issues	Inconsistent intake has been associated with mood disorders like depression.

How to Remember Your Daily Dose

Developing a routine is the best way to avoid missing your folic acid supplement. Here are a few strategies to help:

Tie it to a daily habit: Take your supplement with breakfast, while brushing your teeth, or before bed. Associating it with an established routine makes it easier to remember.
Use a pill organizer: A pill box with labeled days can provide a clear visual reminder and helps you track your intake. You can see at a glance if you've missed a dose.
Set a daily alarm: Use your phone or another device to set a recurring reminder at the same time each day.
Keep it visible: Leave your supplement bottle somewhere you'll see it every day, like on the kitchen counter next to the coffee maker or on your nightstand.
Use a tracking app: Many health and wellness apps include features for tracking medication and supplements, with daily push notifications to remind you.

Conclusion

While a single missed day of folic acid is not a cause for alarm, the true takeaway is the importance of consistency. For women of childbearing age, particularly those who are pregnant or may become pregnant, maintaining a consistent daily intake is the most effective way to prevent serious neural tube defects. For everyone else, regularity helps maintain healthy red blood cell production and supports overall well-being, warding off folate-deficiency anemia. The body is not able to store a significant reserve of this water-soluble vitamin, so daily replenishment through supplements and fortified foods is the recommended course of action. If you've missed a dose, simply resume your routine the next day and focus on building a consistent habit going forward. For persistent issues with remembering or tolerating supplements, a conversation with a healthcare provider is the best next step to ensure you're meeting your nutritional needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should not take a double dose. If you remember within the same day, take your missed dose. If you don't remember until the next day, just take your normal, next dose and continue your regular schedule. Double dosing is not necessary to make up for a missed day.

Missing a single day of your prenatal vitamin is generally not a cause for concern. The most important thing is to resume your daily schedule immediately. It is the long-term, consistent intake that provides the most benefit during pregnancy.

Missing a single day is unlikely to be harmful, but consistent daily intake is critical during the first few weeks of pregnancy when the neural tube is developing. Long-term or frequent skipping can significantly increase the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida.

While folate is found naturally in many foods like leafy greens, oranges, and beans, it is very difficult to get the recommended daily amount from diet alone, especially during pregnancy. Supplements or fortified foods are typically necessary to ensure adequate intake.

A folate deficiency can take several weeks or months to develop. Early signs may include fatigue, weakness, mouth sores, irritability, and changes in the color of your skin, hair, or fingernails.

Developing a consistent routine is key. Try pairing your supplement with a daily habit like breakfast or brushing your teeth, use a pill organizer, or set a daily alarm on your phone to remind you.

The most important takeaway is not to stress over one missed dose. The goal is to establish and maintain a consistent habit of daily intake, as it is long-term, adequate folic acid levels that are crucial for overall health and, most critically, for preventing birth defects during early pregnancy.