Pregnancy is often accompanied by anemia. In this condition, there is not enough healthy red cells in the blood that can deliver oxygen to the tissues of the mother and baby.
During pregnancy, more blood cells are produced to support the development of the baby. If the mother’s body does not receive enough iron or some other nutrients, the blood-forming organs are not able to produce enough red cells. This results in anemia. One of the drugs for its treatment is Ferrum Lek. During pregnancy, even a small course of injection of this drug is enough.
Classification
Anemia has three degrees of severity, which depend on the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood. This condition develops due to a lack of trace elements or vitamins. Anemia is of the following types:
- folic acid deficiency;
- iron deficiency;
- caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
The most common anemia in pregnancy is iron deficiency. In this form, the amount of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs to all cells of the body, is reduced.
Effects
A lack of folic acid and vitamin B12 can lead to congenital malformations, premature birth and fetal growth retardation. During childbirth due to anemia, the likelihood of developing weakness during childbirth is high. In addition, the appearance of such complications is possible:
- the birth of a premature or small child;
- loss of a significant amount of blood during childbirth, which requires a transfusion of blood components;
- postpartum depression;
- giving birth to a child with anemia.
Predisposing factors
The risk of anemia during pregnancy increases if:
- before conception, a decrease in hemoglobin was determined;
- multiple pregnancy occurs;
- short interval between pregnancies;
- toxicosis of the first half with nausea and vomiting;
- teenage pregnancy;
- foods consumed by expectant mothers are low in iron.
All this is taken into account by the doctor when monitoring a pregnant woman. In this case, properly prescribed treatment avoids various consequences.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of anemia during pregnancy are:
- pallor of mucous membranes, skin, lips and nails;
- feeling tired or weak;
- dizziness;
- dyspnea;
- palpitations
- trouble concentrating.
In the early stages of anemia, there may be no obvious symptoms. And many of them are characteristic of a normal pregnancy. To get the correct and adequate treatment, a clinical blood test is required, and if necessary, a hematocrit and a blood test for iron ions.
When is Ferrum Lek Appointed
Iron supplements are used to treat anemia . Today there is a large selection of these drugs. Many doctors prefer to prescribe Ferrum Lek during pregnancy. This is due to many of its positive properties. In addition, convenient forms of release of “Ferrum Lek” have been developed: injections (solution for intravenous and intramuscular injections), chewable tablets and syrup.
A child who is born to a mother with anemia also does not receive iron ions. This component is not added when breastfeeding. In anemic mothers, a small amount of milk is most often observed, and the iron content in it is insufficient.
In children, a lack of iron in the body may not occur, but during adolescence, symptoms of anemia are detected in adolescents. Quite often, these children meet with frequent colds, asthenic physique, and some developmental delay. Because of this, it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive treatment of anemia for expectant mothers. In addition to a diet rich in iron and protein, it is necessary to add vitamins and iron-containing products, which include the Ferrum Lek preparation.
Drug action
The peculiarity of the composition of the drug - the combination of iron ions with polymaltosate - determines its effect. Such a complex is similar to iron storage protein. Therefore, the main component of the “Ferrum Lek” preparation during pregnancy does not lead to darkening of tooth enamel and is well absorbed by the body.
Many believe that hemoglobin can only be raised with food. The diet should indeed be rich in iron and protein. But you need to know that food products differ in different levels of assimilation of an element such as Fe. For example, in meat its amount is 40-50%, and for products of plant origin this indicator generally does not exceed 3-5%.
The absorption of iron is reduced due to the use of tannin (coffee, tea), phytins (salt), phosphates (seafood, river fish). For the same reason, drinking medicine with tea is not recommended. The use of Ferrum Lek with various medications - antacids, tetracyclines, magnesium and calcium salts - during pregnancy will not raise hemoglobin to the required level.
When prescribing drugs for pregnant women, the obstetrician takes into account many factors. Among the main requirements: good tolerance, a high percentage of absorption in the body and the safety of use. The drug "Ferrum Lek" (injections, tablets and syrup) has established itself as a medicine that fits all the necessary indicators.
Efficiency
In its effectiveness, it is similar to ferrous iron, but is safer and does not allow complications after an overdose. Ferum Lek syrup, as well as other forms of medicine, are characterized by a fairly high tolerance. This drug is not inactivated by various components of food. For this reason, its use during meals does not reduce the absorption of iron.
Cases of manifestation of the irritating effects of the gastrointestinal tract are rare. The use of Ferrum Lek during pregnancy makes it possible to achieve a gradual improvement in laboratory and clinical signs of iron deficiency. These include weakness, tachycardia, dry skin, dizziness and increased fatigue.
Forms of medicine
The drug is presented in various forms: chewable tablets, injections and syrup. The duration of treatment and dosage are determined by the general condition of the pregnant woman, the level of hemoglobin, the number of red blood cells and hematocrit. Most often, 3 tablets or syrup are prescribed in an amount of 20-30 ml daily. The course continues until the hemoglobin level rises to 110 g / l. This is controlled by blood tests. In most cases, 10-14 days are enough. Subsequently, the dosage is reduced to 1 tablet or to 10 ml of syrup once. Prescribe the drug most often after eating. Ferrum Lek (syrup) is recommended to be added to water or drinks, and tablets should be absorbed or chewed.
With adequate therapy, effective, antenatal prevention of iron deficiency for the mother and fetus and the prevention of various complications are guaranteed.
Studies confirm the safety of the drug, but it can only be prescribed by a doctor after the results of the tests. Self-medication with Ferrum Lek (syrup or tablets) is excluded. This can affect the mother’s body and the fetus.
Pharmacokinetics
Iron quickly enters the blood plasma: 10% of the dose after 10 minutes, 45% after 30 minutes. The biological half-life is 3-4 days. Iron with transferrin is used for the production of enzymes, hemoglobin, myoglobin. The complex with dextran is not excreted through the kidneys, as it has a large molecular weight.
Contraindications
The drug is contraindicated in the first 12-13 weeks of pregnancy. Obstetricians, based on their experience, in the II and III trimesters and during breastfeeding, prescribe the drug, but under the control of the condition of the fetus or newborn.
The use of the drug is contraindicated in:
- acute infectious kidney disease;
- cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis;
- pathological susceptibility to the components of the drug;
- hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis;
- non-Fe deficiency anemia;
- certain types of anemia;
- Osler-Randu-Weber syndrome;
- hyperparathyroidism.
With caution, a drug is prescribed for bronchial asthma, cardiovascular insufficiency, chronic polyarthritis, insufficient iron-binding ability of hemoglobin, lack of folic acid, for children under 4 months.
Side effects
Of the negative effects, the following should be noted:
- arterial hypotension;
- joint pain
- lymphadenopathy;
- hyperthermia;
- headaches, dizziness;
- drowsiness, weakness;
- nausea, vomiting.
Allergic reactions are occasionally possible. Improper injection technique can lead to soreness, swelling and inflammation at the injection site.
Method of use and dosage
Before the first injection, each woman must enter a test dose, which is 25-50 mg of iron for adults and half the dose for children. The absence of local reactions for 15 minutes indicates good tolerance.
Ferrum Lek: price
Tablets of this drug in Russia can be bought at a price: from 200 to 400 rubles. The cost of syrup is 150 rubles. As for the Ferrum Lek ampoule solution, its price is quite high - from 800 to 1300 r. But it should be remembered that the effect of taking the drug justifies the high cost of Ferrum Lek. The price (tablets, syrup or ampoules) is quite reasonable. And most importantly - all this will undoubtedly benefit all pregnant women suffering from anemia.