Active ingredient: Ferrous Sulphate (200mg).

Other ingredients: Spray dried liquid glucose, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose (101) (E460), lactose granules containing lactose, maize starch, pregelatinised maize starch and water. The coating contains: kaolin, purified talc (E553), acacia (E414), gelatin, sucrose, purified water, calcium carbonate (E170), titanium dioxide (E171) and beeswax. The tablets may also contain yellow carnauba wax, polysorbate and sorbic acid (E200). The printing ink contains: shellac (E904), iron oxide black (E172), soya lecithin MC thin (E322) and antifoam DC.

Adults and children over 12 years: Take 2-3 tablets daily. Do not take all the tablets at the same time. Children 6-12: Take 2 tablets daily. Do not take both tablets at the same time. Children under 6: Do not use.

Ferrous Sulphate tablets may not work as well if they are taken around the same time as the following foods: tea, coffee, eggs, milk or milk products, wholegrain bread and cereals, and any high fibre food. Make sure you take your tablets at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating any of these foods.

This medicine can be taken during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Ferrous Sulphate is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Acute iron poisoning is a serious risk in the paediatric population.

Your stools may turn black whilst taking Ferrous Sulphate. If you have a test for the detection of blood in your stools, tell your doctor you are taking Ferrous Sulphate as black stools may cause an incorrect result to the test.

Do not take Ferrous Sulphate Tablets if you:

Have an intestinal blockage.

Have been told by your doctor that you have a disease of the bowels known as diverticular disease.

Suffer from a rare inherited problem involving the way your blood cells use iron known as haemochromatosis or haemosiderosis.

Are receiving repeated blood transfusions.

Are already being treated with iron injections.

Are already taking medicines containing iron.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines, or any medicines bought without a prescription, as Ferrous Sulphate Tablets may stop these from working properly:

Antibiotics: tetracyclines, quinolones or chloramphenicol.

A penicillamine (for metal poisoning or rheumatoid arthritis).

Indigestion remedies.

Zinc-containing preparations.

Trientine.

If your doctor tells you that you can continue taking Ferrous Sulphate with the above medication, please take note of the following advice:

Tetracycline antibiotics: take these at least 2 hours before OR 3 hours after taking your Ferrous Sulphate.

Quinolones and penicillamines: take these at least 2 hours before OR 2 hours after taking your Ferrous Sulphate.

Indigestion remedies (e.g. antacids), calcium supplements, oxalates or phosphates: take these at least 1 hour before OR 2 hours after taking your Ferrous Sulphate.

The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine:

• Abdominal pain.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhoea.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Darkening of stools.

If you get an upset stomach after taking these tablets on an empty stomach this may be helped by taking the tablets with food.