Ferrodose-F Ferrous Fumarate 322mg Tablets are an iron medicine used to prevent and treat iron deficiency. Each tablet provides about 100mg of ferrous iron, so the usual dose is a single tablet once a day.

Key Features

• Ferrous fumarate 322mg: Each tablet contains 322mg of ferrous fumarate, equivalent to about 100mg of ferrous iron.
• Prevents and treats iron deficiency: Used for both prevention and treatment of iron deficiency states.
• One tablet a day: The usual adult dose is one tablet daily, with a second tablet permitted in severe or hard-to-treat iron deficiency.
• For adults and the elderly: Not intended for treating children.

Can I take Ferrodose-F during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Iron tablets of this type can be used in pregnancy and while breastfeeding if clinically indicated. No adverse effects have been shown in breastfed infants. Check with a doctor, midwife or pharmacist first.

How long can I take Ferrodose-F for?

Treatment of uncomplicated iron deficiency anaemia should not usually go on for more than 6 months, or 3 months after the anaemia has been corrected. Follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist on duration.

Can I take Ferrodose-F with other medicines?

Iron can reduce the absorption of some medicines, including certain antibiotics, bisphosphonates and levothyroxine, and some medicines reduce iron absorption. See Warnings for the medicines affected and the spacing that applies, and ask a pharmacist if you take other medicines.

Active ingredient: Ferrous fumarate 322mg per tablet (equivalent to about 100mg ferrous iron).

Adults and the elderly: take one tablet once a day. In severe or hard-to-treat iron deficiency, one tablet may be taken twice a day.

Not intended for treating children.

Do not take this medicine if any of the following apply:

• You are allergic to ferrous fumarate or any other ingredient in the tablets.
• You have haemochromatosis, haemosiderosis or paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.
• You have an active peptic ulcer, regional enteritis or ulcerative colitis.
• You receive repeated blood transfusions.
• You have an anaemia that is not caused by iron deficiency.

Other important points:

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Iron preparations are a common cause of accidental overdose in children, and overdose may be fatal.
• Take care if you have had a gastrectomy, as iron may be poorly absorbed, and if you have peptic ulceration.
• Anaemia that does not respond to iron alone may need to be checked for vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
• Levothyroxine should be taken at least 2 hours apart from iron.
• Iron can reduce the absorption of penicillamine, bisphosphonates, some fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin), entacapone, levodopa, mycophenolate, zinc and tetracyclines.
• Calcium salts, magnesium trisilicate, trientine, cholestyramine, tea, eggs and milk can reduce iron absorption.
• Iron can reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of methyldopa.
• Chloramphenicol interferes with the clearance of iron, and dimercaprol should not be used with iron. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you take either.

Allergic reactions are rare (between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 1,000 people).

Iron tablets can also cause digestive effects, with no frequency established:

• Stomach irritation, nausea and pain in the upper stomach (these are dose-related)
• Darkened stools
• Constipation or other changes in bowel habit
• Faecal impaction

This list is not exhaustive. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you are troubled by any side effect.