Anemia, or anemia, is a group of clinical and hematological syndromes that are characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood, as well as a decrease in the number of red blood cells.
In itself, such a condition is not a disease, but it can appear as a symptom in various types of diseases associated with or not associated with damage to the circulatory system.
Reduced hemoglobin in the blood is very often accompanied by a simultaneous decrease in the number of red blood cells, as well as a change in their qualitative composition.
Absolutely any degree of anemia causes a decrease in the respiratory ability of the blood and oxygen starvation of tissues. Such conditions can be expressed by the following symptoms: fatigue, pallor of the skin, weakness, palpitations, headaches, shortness of breath, dizziness, etc.
Most often, anemia is observed with a uniform human diet (for example, if dairy products predominate in the patient's diet), a lack of vitamins, helminthic infestations, irregular food intake, childhood infections, acute respiratory infections.
The Maltofer iron preparation is an effective and rather popular antianemic agent. About how it should be used correctly, whether it has analogues and what contraindications are inherent in it, is described below.
Forms of release, packaging, description and composition of the medication
Iron preparation "Maltofer" - tablets for chewing brown, flat and round in shape, with white patches and risk. This form of drug is the most popular. The active substance of the drug is iron (in the form of a polymaltose complex of iron hydroxide) in an amount of 100 mg. Also, the composition of the product includes auxiliary components in the form of dextrates, cocoa powder, macrogol 6000, purified talc, sodium cyclamate, vanillin, chocolate flavor and microcrystalline cellulose. The tablets are packed in blisters (10 pieces each) and cardboard packs, respectively.
In addition to the aforementioned form, the agent in question can also be purchased in the form of dark brown oral drops. The Maltofer iron preparation in this form contains the same active substance (50 mg in 1 ml). In addition, the composition of the drops includes such additional components as sucrose, cream flavoring, sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water, sodium hydroxide, sodium propyl parahydroxybenzoate. The medicine can be purchased in dark glass bottles with a dispenser or in plastic containers.
The release form of the Maltofer iron preparation is not limited to the two types described above. Such a tool goes on sale in the form of a solution intended for intramuscular injection (50 mg in 1 ml). The main component of this medicine is iron. In addition, the following auxiliary ingredients are part of the medication: water for injection, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide. Iron preparation "Maltofer" in the form of a solution for injection is placed in 2 ml ampoules of colorless glass and packs of cardboard, respectively.
Also, the agent in question can be purchased in the form of a dark brown syrup. The main component of this drug is iron (10 mg in 1 ml). In addition, the medication contains a 70% solution of sorbitol, sucrose, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, cream flavoring, 96% ethanol and sodium hydroxide. Maltofer iron preparation in the form of syrup is sold in dark glass bottles (complete with a measuring cup / cap).
Another form of release of the drug in question is a solution intended for oral administration (brown). 1 ml of it contains 20 mg of iron and auxiliary substances (sodium propyl parahydroxybenzoate, 70% sorbitol solution, sucrose, sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate, sodium hydroxide, water, flavor).
How does it work?
What is the Maltofer iron preparation? The instructions say that this is an excellent antianemic agent. The structure of the active component of this medication is similar to the structure of the physiological depot of iron (the core of the protein ferritin).
The active substance in question is stable. Under physiological conditions, it does not emit excessive amounts of Fe ions.
The composition of the Maltofer iron preparation makes it highly effective for severe anemia. Such a medication is used to normalize the hemoglobin content in the blood, as well as to replenish iron in the body.
Pharmacokinetic features
The active substance of the Maltofer iron preparation is actively absorbed from the small and duodenum (in accordance with a controlled mechanism). As in the case of similar means for oral administration, the relative absorption of iron decreases with increasing doses. Experts also argue that the more pronounced anemia in a person, the more actively the medicine is absorbed.
After taking the Maltofer iron preparation (a photo of the drug is presented in this article), its active component binds to transferrin. Then it synthesizes hemoglobin in the bone marrow or is stored in the liver, where it subsequently binds to ferritin.
The non-absorbable active substance of the drug is excreted along with feces.
Assignment of funds
What indications for use does the Maltofer iron preparation have? Reviews of experts report that such a tool effectively manifests itself in the following cases:
- in the treatment of iron deficiency without anemia (or latent iron deficiency);
- during the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (clinically severe);
- with increased human need for iron (for example, during pregnancy, with blood donation, during lactation, with intensive growth, in old age, in case of vegetarianism).
Prohibitions for appointment
Iron drug "Maltofer" is prescribed to pregnant women very often. However, before taking such a remedy, you should definitely familiarize yourself with the attached instructions, since it has many contraindications. These include:
- hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis;
- the established hypersensitivity of the patient to iron or auxiliary components of the drug;
- anemia not associated with iron deficiency (including hemolytic or megaloblastic, which was caused by a lack of vitamin B12);
- disturbed iron utilization (happens with lead, siderohrestichnoy anemia, thalassemia);
- children under 12 years old.
Iron preparation "Maltofer": instructions for use
The agent in question is used in accordance with its release form. Oral forms are taken only inside, immediately after eating or during a meal. In this case, the daily dosage of the drug can be applied at a time or divided into several doses.
Drops dosage
The daily dose of this form of medication for iron deficiency anemia is:
- premature babies - 1-2 drops (calculated by body weight), the course of therapy - up to 3-5 months;
- children under one year of age - 10-20 drops;
- children 1-12 years old - 20-40 drops;
- adults and children over 12 years old - 40-120 drops.
For pregnant women, the Maltofer iron preparation is prescribed in the same dosage as for adults.
For preventive purposes and with latent iron deficiency (per day):
- children under one year of age - 6-10 drops;
- children 1-12 years old –10-20 drops;
- pregnant women and adults - 20-40 drops.
Syrup dosage
According to the description, the Maltofer iron preparation is prescribed in the following daily dosages in the presence of anemia:
- children under one year of age - 2.5-5 ml;
- 1-12 years - 5-10 ml.
Pregnant women and adults are recommended to take syrup 10-30 ml per day.
Tablet dosage
The instructions for the drug say that the daily dosage of this form of medication for adults with iron deficiency anemia is 1-3 tablets. In order to prevent or treat latent iron deficiency, such a medication is prescribed 1 tablet per day. As for pregnant women, it is recommended that they take 2-3 tablets per day as part of the treatment.
Oral solution dosage
In order for adults to normalize the hemoglobin content in the blood, they are prescribed 1 bottle of the drug 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment with such a drug is 3-5 months. Next, the dosage is reduced to 1 bottle.
For preventive purposes, the medication is taken one bottle for several months.
Injection dosage
The daily dose and duration of treatment with such a drug should be determined by a specialist (depending on the weight of the patient and are calculated according to the formulas).
Before you enter the first dose of the drug, it is necessary to carry out a sensitivity test. To do this, the patient is injected 1/2 or ¼ of the single dose of the drug, intramuscularly. In the absence of side effects, the remainder of the injection solution is administered.
For adults, the daily dose of such a drug is 1 ampoule, and the maximum daily dosage is as follows:
- children up to 5 kg - 1/4 ampoule;
- children 5-10 kg - 1/2 ampoules;
- patients 10-50 kg - 1 ampoule;
- adults - 2 ampoules.
In the event that, after 2 weeks after the start of treatment, improvements in hemodynamic parameters did not come, it is necessary to adjust the therapy, and also to reconsider the diagnosis.
How should I inject the Maltofer iron injection? Reviews of experts report that the usual method of introducing such a drug is not welcome. Doctors recommend using a ventro-gluteal technique, that is, the needle should have a length of not more than 6 cm and be thin. After the injection, the patient needs to slightly move his foot or walk. This is required in order to quickly disperse the blood throughout the body.
Negative effects
The tolerability and safety of the iron preparation in question have been tested in many clinical trials. According to their results, the intake of such a drug can lead to the following adverse events:
- headache, itching, and rash;
- discoloration of feces, exanthema, diarrhea, discoloration of teeth, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation.
Overdose cases
Reception of the increased doses of the Maltofer drug does not cause intoxication or iron overload. This is due to its low toxicity as well as controlled uptake.
No cases of poisoning (including unintentional) with such a fatal outcome have been reported to date.
Interaction with other medicines
The interaction of the Maltofer preparation with aluminum hydroxide and tetracycline was studied. A significant decrease in the absorption of the latter was not observed. The same goes for aluminum hydroxide.
Experiments in rats using bromazepam, tetracycline, magnesium aspartate, aluminum hydroxide, D-penicillamine, acetylsalicylic acid, calcium carbonate, sulfasalazine, paracetamol, methyldopa, calcium acetate, auranofin, calcium phosphate, vitamin D3 did not show any interaction with the iron preparation.
Also, there was no interaction of the drug in question with such components of food products as oxalic acid, phytic acid, vitamin E, tannin, vitamin A, sodium alginate, vitamin D3, choline, soybean oil, choline salts, soy flour. Thus, Maltofer is allowed to be taken with food.
The use of an iron preparation does not have any effect on the results of the hidden blood test, so interruption of treatment with such studies is not required.
The parallel use of Maltofer for parenteral administration and oral forms should be avoided. Otherwise, the absorption of iron is significantly slowed down.
special instructions
According to experts, anemia can be triggered by malignant neoplasms or infectious diseases. Due to the fact that iron is allowed to be taken only after eliminating the main cause of the disease, it is necessary to determine the ratio of risk and benefit of such treatment.
When prescribing a medication for people with diabetes, it should be remembered that 1 tablet of Maltofer contains 0.04 XE. It is also necessary to keep in mind that the daily dosage of the syrup of the same name includes ethanol (0.008-0.1 g).
During treatment with Maltofer, the patient may experience dark stool staining. This does not carry any danger.
Excipients such as syrup and oral drops, such as sodium propyl parahydroxybenzoate and sodium methyl parahydroxybenzoate, can cause allergies (including delayed type).
The instructions say that the use of the drug "Maltofer" in the form of tablets is contraindicated in children under 12 years of age. In this age group, it is better to use drops for oral administration or syrup.
To date, there is no data on the effect of the drug on the patient's ability to drive complex mechanisms and vehicles. At the same time, experts say that Maltofer may in some way affect a person’s reaction and attention in a low probability.
Pregnancy, lactation
To date, there is no information about serious adverse events after the use of Maltofer by pregnant women. In addition, during animal studies, it was found that taking the iron preparation did not affect the development of the fetus and the mother's body in a negative way.
Mother's milk contains iron, which is associated with lactoferrin. However, the amount of iron passing from the drug to breast milk is currently unknown. Moreover, it is unlikely that the use of the drug in question by lactating women can cause unwanted effects in the child.
Analogs of the Maltofer iron preparation, comparison
The closest analogues of the drug in question are the following drugs: Globigen, Ferumbo, Sorbifer, Ferinzhekt, Profer, Ferrum Lek, Ferro-Folgamma.
In this case, patients often ask which medication is better.
- Maltofer or Sorbifer? Both products are well absorbed and are highly effective. However, most patients choose Maltofer, since, in their opinion, it practically does not cause side effects.
- Maltofer or Ferro Folgamma? Such an analogue contains a divalent form of iron. It is absorbed worse than trivalent, and can cause adverse reactions. At the same time, Ferro-Folgamma contains ascorbic and folic acids. In addition, the enteric coating of this agent does not irritate the mucosa of the digestive tract. In connection with the foregoing, many patients give their preference to “Ferro-Folgamma”, even despite the fact that such a medication is much more expensive.
- Ferrum Lek or Maltofer? The latter drug is convenient in that it has several dosage forms. This is especially important if the medication is prescribed for young children. In addition, there is an opinion that Ferrum Lek often causes allergic reactions.