The medicine “Ferretab” defines the instructions for use as a hematopoietic remedy supplementing iron deficiency. It is used for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency conditions.
Pharmacodynamics
The activity of the medication is due to the ingredients included in its composition: iron fumarate and folic acid. The first component is an iron salt. In the body, this trace element is necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin. The use of iron in the form of salt allows you to more quickly fill its deficiency, as a result, the clinical manifestations of anemia, such as dizziness, dryness and soreness of the skin, weakness and fatigue, tachycardia are gradually eliminated.
Folic acid in the body is needed for the proper maturation of megaloblasts and the formation of normoblasts. She takes part in the synthesis of nucleic and amino acids, pyrimidines and purines, in the exchange of choline, and also stimulates erythropoiesis.
The use of Ferretab during pregnancy helps protect the body from the influence of teratogenic factors, maintain and restore the optimal level of iron in the blood, and prevent possible complications that may occur with a lack of folic acid and iron, such as miscarriage, anemia, and a child’s mental development early birth.
The amount of digestible iron varies from 5 to 35 percent. In serum, the trace element binds to transferrin, is involved in the formation of hemoglobin, catalase, cytochrome oxidase, myoglobin, peroxidase, or is stored in the body's tissues as ferritin.
Pharmacokinetics
Excretion of iron is carried out with urine, sweat and feces. Folic acid is predominantly absorbed in the duodenum and binds to proteins by 64 percent. It is metabolized in the liver, and excreted mainly through the kidneys and partially with feces.
Indications for appointment
The Ferretab medication shows instructions for use for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency conditions in the presence of malabsorption of iron in the gastrointestinal tract, prolonged bleeding, as well as during pregnancy and in case of malnutrition and unbalanced nutrition.
Dosage form and composition of the drug
The product is available in the form of red gelatin hard capsules. Each unit contains three flat round reddish-brown mini tablets with iron fumarate and one flat round yellow mini tablet with folic acid. In packs of thirty, Ferretab capsules are sold. The tablets contained in the capsules may include blotches.
In a unit, iron fumarate is present in a mass of 163.56 milligrams, which corresponds to 50 milligrams of iron or 152.1 milligrams of dry matter. Folic acid in one capsule is contained in a mass of 0.54 milligrams, which corresponds to 0.5 milligrams of dry matter. Minor components are polyacrylate (dispersion 30%), lactose monohydrate, MCC, magnesium stearate, colloidal silicon dioxide. The cap and capsule body consist of titanium dioxide, gelatin, and dyes yellow quinoline and azorubine.
How to take Ferretab Comp? Dosage
The drug should be drunk on an empty stomach. The intake of one capsule is shown per day - it must be swallowed and abundantly washed down with liquid. If a pronounced deficiency of folic acid or iron is diagnosed, the dose of the Ferretab preparation can be increased to two or three capsules per day. Treatment cannot be stopped until the picture of peripheral blood is normalized, on average it takes eight to twelve weeks. Maintenance therapy after reaching the optimal level of hemoglobin must be continued for at least another four weeks to normalize serum ferritin, which reflects the stores in the body of iron.
Side effects
On the tolerability of the drug "Ferretab comp." Reviews are very different. Some patients indicate that the medicine is well tolerated and does not cause negative effects. Others talk about the development of adverse effects from the gastrointestinal tract while taking capsules, such as nausea, vomiting, discomfort in the stomach and a feeling of fullness, constipation. Allergic reactions occur in individuals, which may be due to hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Contraindications
In case of personal intolerance to any of the ingredients present in the composition, it is necessary to abandon the use of the drug "Ferretab". The instruction forbids taking it to patients suffering from pathologies that are accompanied by the accumulation of iron in the body (thalassemia, hemochromatosis, hemolytic and aplastic anemia, hemosiderosis). Also, taking the medication is contraindicated for people who have impaired iron absorption (lead, siderohrestic, pernicious anemia) or anemia that is not associated with a deficiency of folic acid or iron.
Use of Ferretab Capsules during Pregnancy
One of the most common disorders that occur in pregnant women is a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood. According to statistics, in 85-95 percent of cases, expectant mothers are diagnosed with anemia (anemia). Often, this disease is determined by a general blood test, which shows the number of red blood cells and the level of hemoglobin. An iron deficiency state has a direct effect on the child - a lack of this microelement can lead to pathologies of the fetus, and in the worst case, even to his death.
That is why it is so important to maintain the correct hemoglobin level in the blood of a pregnant woman. For this purpose, the drug "Ferretab" is prescribed. The instruction nevertheless permits taking it during pregnancy only if there is evidence and as directed by the supervising physician. The doctor should also choose a treatment regimen and dosage based on the analysis data. The duration of therapy will depend on how quickly normalization occurs. After the optimal hemoglobin level is reached, the doctor may prescribe another supportive (prophylactic) course, especially for women at risk.
Overdose
In the case of taking the drug "Ferretab comp." in excessive doses, an increase in side effects may occur. In case of an overdose, it is necessary to contact specialists to conduct a study of serum ferritin level and serum iron content . If the indicators are significantly exceeded, the doctor will prescribe an iron chelator (Desferal). It should be noted that these studies should be carried out not only if an overdose is suspected, but always before starting treatment with the Ferretab medication (the instruction draws attention to this).
Holidays from pharmacies. Price
The medicine can be purchased at the pharmacy with a prescription. The price for thirty capsules averages 265-285 rubles.
Additional Information
During the use of the drug, stool can be stained in a darker color, however, this phenomenon has no clinical significance. Also, against the background of using capsules, a false-positive result can be obtained when taking a benzidine sample. The medication should be stored in a dry place isolated from children, protected from sunlight, having a temperature of no more than 25 degrees Celsius. The shelf life of the drug, subject to storage conditions, is three years.
Drug interaction
Iron absorption deteriorates while taking Ferretab Comp. with antacids. In addition, it is necessary to avoid its joint use with antibiotics from the tetracycline group, because this can also lead to impaired absorption of the trace element. The absorption of iron is also reduced by cholestyramine, sulfasalazine, trimethoprim, phenytoin, carbamazepine, hormonal contraceptives, triamteren, phenobarbital, folic acid antagonists, bread, dairy products, solid foods, tea, raw cereals, eggs. At the same time, its absorption improves with the joint administration of the drug with ascorbic acid.
Capsules "Ferretab". Analogs
Medicines that have a similar mechanism of action to the described drug and belong to the same pharmacological subgroup are the Biofer, Actiferrin Compositum, Maltofer Fall, Gino-Tardiferon, Sorbifer Durules medicines.