Ferrifol

Active Ingredients

Each tablet contains:

Iron (as Iron III Hydroxide Polymaltose Complex)   100 mg

Folic acid                                                                    0.4 mg.

Indications

Therapeutic class:

Iron in combination with folic acid.

Iron is an essential constituent of red blood cells (hemoglobin), of muscle cells (myoglobin) and of iron-containing enzymes. Folic acid is a vitamin that is important for fetal development. Folic acid deficiency in the early weeks of pregnancy may lead to fetal malformations.

Ferrifol tablets are intended for prevention and treatment of anemia due to iron and folic acid deficiency, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Instructions

The tablet may be chewed or swallowed whole.

The medicine should be taken during or after a meal.

The generally accepted dosage is:

For adults and children above 12 years of age:

For prevention of anemia:

One tablet per day.

For treatment of anemia:

3 tablets per day in a single daily dose or in divided doses.

Do not exceed the recommended dose

The medicine is usually intended for adults and children above 12 years of age.

Refer to the doctor if signs of the ailment (symptoms) worsen or do not improve after three weeks.

How long does the treatment usually last?

Depends on the extent of iron/folic acid deficiency.

Before starting to use the medicine, the doctor will refer you for a blood test to check your blood iron and hemoglobin levels. If your symptoms are not caused by iron deficiency, this medicine will not be effective for you.

During treatment with this medicine the doctor will carry out periodic examinations, and may also refer you for blood tests. This referral is normal and should not concern you.

If you have forgotten to take this medicine at the required time, do not take a double dose. Take the next dose at the scheduled time.

Warnings

Do not use Ferrifol tablets if you are sensitive (allergic) to the active ingredients or to any of the additional components the medicine contains.

Do not use this medicine if you have an excess of iron in your body (e.g., deficiency caused by a rare disease of iron accumulation, which may lead to build-up of iron in the tissues).

Do not use this medicine if you have a problem with efficient utilization of iron (e.g., when anemia is caused by inefficient utilization of iron).

Do not use Ferrifol tablets if you have anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency (e.g., anemia caused by increased hemoglobin breakdown or by vitamin B12 deficiency).

Before treatment with Ferrifol Tablets, inform the doctor if:

• You have an infection or a tumor
• You have vitamin B12 deficiency. The folic acid in this medicine may mask vitamin B12 deficiency
• You have received blood transfusions, since there is a risk for an excess of iron due to receiving additional iron

If you are taking or have recently taken other medicines including non-prescription medicines and dietary supplements, tell the doctor or the pharmacist. Especially if you are taking:

• Injected iron preparations - using such preparations together with this medicine is not recommended
• Medicines for treatment of epilepsy, especially phenytoin
• Chloramphenicol - a medicine for treatment of bacterial infections. The doctor will monitor you if you are taking both of these medicines together.

No adverse effects of Ferrifol tablets have been observed on the fetus or on women during pregnancy. It is unknown whether iron passes into breast milk. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, consult the doctor before using the medicine.

Each Ferrifol tablet contains 1.5 mg aspartame. Aspartame is a source of phenylalanine and may cause harm if you have phenylketonuria (a rare hereditary disorder that causes accumulation of phenylalanine, since the body cannot excrete it normally).

A too high dose of folic acid may cause changes in mental state and sleep patterns, irritability and hyperactivity, nausea, abdominal bloating and flatulence.

Please do not consider this information as an alternative to consulting your physician or pharmacist.

For further information on instructions for use, risks and side effects, please read the patient package insert and consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Read the patient package insert carefully before starting to take any medication.