Q: I had a minor seizure when I was 22 years old. I was put on Tegritol 800 mg per day for 3 years and Hosit 3 mg per day. I underwent CT scans, MRI and MRV as well as EEG 4 times in these 3 years and all of my tests came out to be normal. I also had a DNA exam which said that it was because of some deficiency of folic acid in my blood. I have to take Hosit throughout my life probably. My Tegritol will be tapered from next month and will finally be stopped in after 6 months. I am planning for a child after 6 months. Will Hosit affect me and my baby? If I take normal folic acid supplement, which is generally given during pregnancy then will it solve the purpose?

A:It does not matter whether you take Hosit - which contains vitamin B-12 and B-6 in addition to folic acid - or just plain folic acid. Our interest is in folic acid. Please start taking it as soon as you plan pregnancy.