Indications

This is indicated for the treatment and prophylaxis of Iron, Folic Acid and Zinc deficiency especially during pregnancy and lactation.

Therapeutic Class

Iron, Vitamin & Mineral Combined preparation

Dosage

Adult or Elderly: 1 capsule daily. In more severe cases, 2 capsules daily may be required.

Children: Aged over 1 year: 1 capsule daily. The capsule may be opened and the pellets to be mixed with soft cool food, but they must not be chewed.

Contraindications

Do not use in patients hypersensitive to the components of the product or those with iron overload.

Side Effects

Dark stools are usual during iron therapy and nausea and other symptoms of gastrointestinal irritation such as anorexia, vomiting, discomfort, constipation and diarrhoea are sometimes encountered. Zinc may also produce a gastrointestinal upset. These timed-release capsules are designed to reduce the possibility of gastrointestinal irritation. There have been rare reports of allergic reactions

Pregnancy & Lactation

Use of any drug during the first trimester of pregnancy should be avoided if possible. Thus administration of Iron during the first trimester requires definite evidence of Iron deficiency where inadequate diet calls for supplementary Zinc and Folic acid is justified during the remainder of the pregnancy.

Precautions

Care should be taken in patients who may develop Iron overloads, 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. Iron & Zinc chelate with tetracycline and absorption of all three agents may be impaired. The absorption of Zinc may be reduced in the presence of Iron. Absorption of Iron may be impaired by penicillamine and by antacids. Such potential interactions can be reduced by separating the administration of each product by several hours. In patients with renal failure a risk of Zinc accumulation could exist.

Overdose

Iron overdosage is dangerous, particularly in children and requires immediate attention. Gastric lavage should be carried out in the early stages, or if this is not possible vomiting should be induced. These procedures should not be undertaken where signs of the corrosive effects of zinc are present. Give oral desferrioxamine (2 gm for a child or 5 gm for an adult) and demulcent. If serum Iron levels at 4 hours or more post-ingestion are over 5mg/l in a child or 8 mg/l in adults, or if the patient is in shock of coma, intravenous desferrioxamine should be used. Zinc Sulphate in gross over dosage is corrosive. Symptoms are those of gastrointestinal irritation leading in severe cases to haemorrhage, corrosion of the mucosa and possible later stricture formation. Gastric lavage or emesis should be avoided. Demulcents such as milk should be given. Chelating agents such as Dimercaprol, Penicillamine or Edetic Acid have been recommended.

Symptomatic and supportive measures should be given as required. The timed-release capsule presentation may delay excessive absorption of Iron and Zinc and allow more time for initiation of appropriate counter-measure.

Storage Conditions

Protected from light and moisture, store below 30˚C. Keep out of reach of children.