Ferico

Iron deficiency anemia

Should be taken on an empty stomach. Best taken on an empty stomach. May be taken w/ meals to reduce GI discomfort.

Adult: PO 400-600 mg/day in divided doses. Prevention: 200 mg/day.

Patients receiving repeated blood transfusions; anaemia not due to iron deficiency. Haemochromatosis, haemolytic anemia.

Iron: Essential component in the formation of hemoglobin; adequate amounts of iron are necessary for effective erythropoiesis; also serves as a cofactor of several essential enzymes, including cytochromes that are involved in electron transport. Replacement of iron stores found in hemoglobin, myoglobin, and enzymes; works to transport oxygen via hemoglobin. Folic acid: Required for nucleoprotein synthesis and the maintenance of normal erythropoiesis; folic acid is converted in the liver and plasma to its metabolically active form, tetrahydrofolic acid, by dihydrofolate reductase; prevents neural tube defects in women of childbearing potential and higher doses required during pregnancy.

Elderly. Avoid admin for >6 mth except in patients with continuous bleeding. Avoid concomitant oral and parenteral iron therapy. Iron-storage or iron-absorption diseases (e.g. haemochromatosis), haemoglobinopathies); existing GI diseases (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal strictures, diverticulae, peptic ulcer disease, enteritis or ulcerative colitis). Liquid preparations may stain teeth.

GI irritation, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, dark stool and discoloration of urine; heartburn.

Pregnancy category: Not studied Lactation: Drug is excreted in breast milk

Concurrent admin with antacids/H2 antagonists may reduce absorption of iron. Chloramphenicol may delay response to iron. Iron may reduce the absorption of levodopa, methyldopa and penicillamine when given together. Absorption may be reduced when used with quinolones or tetracyclines. Concurrent admin with vitamin C may increase iron absorption.