Is Ferum Lek effective? You can find reviews about the medication in the materials of this article. From it you will learn about the form in which this product is made, how and in what dosage it should be used, whether it can be prescribed to pregnant women and children.
Composition, form
Currently, the preparation “Ferum Lek”, reviews of which are mostly positive, can be purchased in the following forms:
- Chewable tablets of dark brown color of a round form and with a facet. The composition of this drug includes: dextrate, polymaltose ferric hydroxide, macrogol, aspartame, chocolate flavor and talc.
- Suspension Ferum Lek (syrup). Reviews of experts say that this form of the drug is available in the form of a transparent brown liquid. The composition of the medication includes iron hydroxide polymaltosate, sucrose, ethanol, sorbitol solution, cream flavoring, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, sodium hydroxide, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water.
- Ferum Lek solution (injections). Reviews of doctors report that this form of the medication is intended for intramuscular administration. The solution includes ferric hydroxide with dextran, water for injection, 6 molar sodium hydroxide or concentrated hydrochloric acid.
Pharmacology
What is Ferum Lek? Reviews report that it is an antianemic agent. Iron hydroxide polymaltosate is its active substance. This element is an important component of protein structures such as myoglobin and hemoglobin. The physiological role of this component is to transport oxygen to tissues and internal organs. In the process of cellular respiration, it promotes the movement of electrons through membranes during oxidative metabolism, which occurs during the proliferation and growth of young tissues.
It should also be noted that iron is an integral part of most enzymes normally contained in the human body. As part of biocatalysts, this component accelerates the course of vital processes of hydroxylation and oxidation at the subcellular level, thereby maintaining the normal state of a living organism.
Pharmacokinetics
Syrup and chewable tablets are administered orally. Therefore, their pharmacokinetic features are largely similar. These funds are slowly absorbed from the digestive tract. In this case, most of the iron settles in the liver, from where it enters the bone marrow and is included in the active cycle of hemoglobin synthesis. The remaining substance is excreted along with the cells of the intestinal epithelium, then, urine and bile.
The solution for intramuscular administration has other pharmacokinetic features. Its active component enters not only the bone marrow, but also into other peripheral tissues.
Indications for use
Why is Ferum Lek prescribed? Reviews (tablets and syrup develop their effect slowly) state that the oral form of this drug is used for:
- iron deficiency anemia;
- latent iron deficiency;
- for the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy.
As for the solution for intramuscular injection, its action occurs much faster, therefore, it is prescribed for:
- impaired ability of a trace element to be absorbed through the digestive tract;
- severe iron deficiency due to bleeding;
- the inability to treat the patient with oral iron preparations.
Contraindications
What conditions of the patient should not be prescribed Ferum Lek? Doctors' reviews report the following bans:
- with hemosiderosis (pigmentary dystrophy), which is characterized by the deposition of hemosiderin;
- with increased sensitivity to the drug, hereditary or acquired intolerance to its components;
- in violation of the mechanisms of utilization of iron;
- with hemochromatosis, that is, with a hereditary disease, which is characterized by the accumulation of iron in excess;
- with anemia, which is not accompanied by a deficiency of this trace element (hemolytic anemia or thalassemia).
If the drug “Ferum Lek” is administered intramuscularly (reviews will be presented later), the list of contraindications will be wider:
- infectious kidney diseases in the acute stage;
- 1st trimester of pregnancy;
- hyperparathyroidism, which is not amenable to drug control;
- Osler-Randu-Weber syndrome ;
- infectious hepatitis;
- cirrhosis of the liver in a decompensated phase.
All forms of the preparation “Ferum Lek” should be used with extreme caution in the following pathologies:
- chronic polyarthritis;
- bronchial asthma;
- heart failure;
- lack of folic acid;
- low ability to bind iron.
Can I use Ferum Lek for children? Reviews of experts say that this drug can not be used in pediatric practice until the baby reaches 4 months of age.
Application methods
Oral forms of the drug are taken during or immediately after a meal. Tablets can be chewed and swallowed in its entirety.
If you do not like the taste of the syrup, then it can be mixed with vegetable or fruit juice.
The daily dose of the drug should be divided into several doses or taken at a time.
With iron deficiency anemia, the duration of therapy with this drug is 3-5 months. After the hemoglobin level is restored, therapy should be continued for several more weeks.
Syrup Dosage:
- children up to a year - 2.6-5 ml;
- children 1-12 years old - 6-10 ml;
- children from 12 years old and adults - 11-30 ml per day.
In the first three months of treatment, tablets are prescribed 1 unit three times a day. After normalizing hemoglobin, the dosage is reduced to 1 tablet once a day (for several months).
With latent iron deficiency, the course of therapy should last 1-2 months.
The solution for intramuscular administration is quite difficult to use. Therefore, for the implementation of injections, you must contact the hospital.
Before the introduction of the drug, a test dose is performed. To do this, use ¼ ampoules. If after 15 minutes no side effects have occurred, then the remaining amount of the daily dose should be used.
The dosage of the solution is calculated by the following formula: total iron deficiency (mg) / 100 mg = number of ampoules.
Use during pregnancy
Is Ferum Lek prescribed during pregnancy? Reviews of experts report that during the bearing of the fetus, this medication can be used.
With iron deficiency anemia, women are prescribed 3 chewable tablets per day or 25-30 ml of syrup. After normalizing the hemoglobin level, a maintenance dose of 10 ml of syrup or 1 tablet is used (until the end of the pregnancy period).
The solution for injection during gestation is not recommended.
Side effects
Against the background of taking the drug in question, the following side effects may occur:
- dyspeptic indigestion;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- pain in the epigastric region, a feeling of heaviness and overflow of the stomach;
- dark staining of the stool.
Due to the fact that the solution for intramuscular administration is more active than oral forms, side effects on the background of its use can be more pronounced, and also appear as:
- swollen lymph nodes;
- arterial hypotension;
- muscle and joint pain;
- malaise;
- hyperthermia;
- headache and dizziness;
- allergic reactions.
Iron supplement reviews
According to patients, taking Ferum Lek not only corrects laboratory blood parameters (balance of serum iron, hemoglobin), but also significantly improves the general condition of patients.
After taking the course of therapy, many people note an unprecedented ease in the body.
Those patients who have been prescribed a solution for intramuscular injections report that the injections are completely painless and at the same time as effective as possible.
Taking this product in dosages recommended by your doctor improves your appetite, skin color, condition of nails and hair.