Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Prophylaxis of iron and folic acid deficiency during pregnancy.

Contraindications

Vitamin B12 deficiency
Non-iron deficiency anaemia
Haemosiderosis
Haemochromatosis
Haemoglobinopathies
Active peptic ulcer
Repeated blood transfusions
Inflammatory bowel disease
Intestinal diverticula
Intestinal strictures
Gastrointestinal obstruction

Precautions and Warnings

Post-gastrectomy patients
History of peptic ulcer
Folate dependent neoplasms
First trimester of pregnancy (see Pregnancy )

Advise patients do not take this medicine within one hour before or two hours after ingestion of the following medicines or food: antacids, calcium supplements, oxalates or phosphates, tea, coffee, milk or milk products, eggs or whole grains.

Advise the patient that their stools may be discoloured.

Some formulations contain sucrose and should not be used by patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome.

Some formulations contain lactose and so should not be used by patients with rare hereditary problems of galactosaemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption or lactose intolerance.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Ferrous salts with low dose folic acid is indicated for prophylaxis of iron and folic acid deficiency in pregnancy, however, administration during the first trimester of pregnancy may be undesirable (a higher dose of folic acid may be required).

The development of anaemia despite prophylaxis with ferrous fumarate and low dose folic acid requires investigation.

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Prophylaxis of iron and folic acid deficiency during pregnancy.

Contraindications

Vitamin B12 deficiency
Non-iron deficiency anaemia
Haemosiderosis
Haemochromatosis
Haemoglobinopathies
Active peptic ulcer
Repeated blood transfusions
Inflammatory bowel disease
Intestinal diverticula
Intestinal strictures
Gastrointestinal obstruction

Precautions and Warnings

Post-gastrectomy patients
History of peptic ulcer
Folate dependent neoplasms
First trimester of pregnancy (see Pregnancy )

Advise patients do not take this medicine within one hour before or two hours after ingestion of the following medicines or food: antacids, calcium supplements, oxalates or phosphates, tea, coffee, milk or milk products, eggs or whole grains.

Advise the patient that their stools may be discoloured.

Some formulations contain sucrose and should not be used by patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome.

Some formulations contain lactose and so should not be used by patients with rare hereditary problems of galactosaemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption or lactose intolerance.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Ferrous salts with low dose folic acid is indicated for prophylaxis of iron and folic acid deficiency in pregnancy, however, administration during the first trimester of pregnancy may be undesirable (a higher dose of folic acid may be required).

The development of anaemia despite prophylaxis with ferrous fumarate and low dose folic acid requires investigation.

Counselling

Advise patient that their stools may be discoloured.

Advise patients do not take this medicine within one hour before or two hours after ingestion of the following medicines or food: antacids, calcium supplements, oxalates or phosphates, tea, coffee, milk or milk products, eggs or whole grains.

This product should be kept out of children's reach. Acute iron poisoning occurs rarely in adults, however it could happen if children swallow this medication.

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Reference Sources

British National Formulary, 62nd Edition (2011) Pharmaceutical Press, London.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Fefol Spansule capsules. Intrapharm Laboratories. Revised August 2002.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Ferrograd Folic tablets. Abbott Laboratories. Revised April 2002.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Galfer FA capsules. Thornton & Ross Ltd. Revised August 2007.

Summary of Product Characteristics: Pregaday tablets. UCB Pharma Ltd. Revised June 2005.