Composition
Each capsule contains: Dried ferrous sulphate 150 mg (equivalent to 47 mg elemental iron), Folic acid 500 pg.
Indications
Prophylaxis of iron and folic acid deficiency during pregnancy.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to any of the components.
Side Effects
Dark stools are usual during iron therapy, and nausea and other symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation (anorexia, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea) are sometimes encountered.
However, Folicron capsules are designed to reduce the possibility of gastrointestinal irritation.
There have been rare reports of allergic reactions.
Precautions
Care should be taken in patients who may develop iron overload, such as those with haemochromatosis, haemolytic anaemia, or red cell aplasia.
Failure to respond to treatment may indicate other causes of anaemia and should be further investigated.
Caution is recommended in patients with liver disease.
Pregnancy: The use of any drug should be avoided in the first trimester unless considered essential.
Drug Interactions
Co-administration of iron with some other agents may contribute to some interactions, which can be reduced by separating the administration of each product by several hours. These interactions include:
- Chelation of iron with tetracyclines, and thus the absorption of both agents is reduced.
- Absorption of iron may be reduced by trientine, magnesium trisilicate, and zinc (absorption of zinc may also be reduced).
- Iron may reduce the absorption of certain agents including some antibacterials (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin), bisphosphonates, some dopaminergics (such as entacapone and levodopa), and penicillamine.
- Iron may reduce the hypotensive effect of methyldopa.
Whereas, the presence of folic acid in the product may possibly result in a reduction of plasma concentrations of some antiepileptic agents such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone.
Dosage and Administration
One capsule daily during pregnancy.
Some pregnant patients may need a higher prophylactic dose of iron because of dietary or other factors.
Packaging
ca: 30 (SR