In the article, we consider the instructions for use for the Sorbifer tablets.
It is a medicine related to antianemic medicines. Used to make up for iron deficiency in the body.
The drug is made by special technology, which is called durules. A similar manufacturing method allows iron ions to be released in the intestine gradually and evenly, moreover as a result of peristalsis, and not under the influence of gastric juice. The release of ions lasts up to 6 hours, thus preventing the oversaturation of the digestive organs, the irritating effect of iron on the gastrointestinal mucosa.
As indicated by the instructions for use, as part of Sorbifer, the main active components are: iron sulfate and ascorbic acid. The latter promotes iron absorption through the walls of the duodenum.
According to its clinical and pharmacological group, Sorbifer is considered an antianemic drug.
Composition, pharmacological forms
According to the instructions for use, Sorbifer is available in tablet form. Other pharmacological forms of the drug do not exist. The tablets are biconvex, have a round shape, are covered with a shell of light yellow color, on one side there is an engraving of the letter "Z". The fracture of the tablet is gray, a characteristic odor is present. The drug is packaged in bottles made of dark glass. Each bottle can hold 30 or 50 tablets. There is one bottle in a cardboard bundle.
As we are informed by the instructions for use with Sorbifer durules tablets, each pill contains two active components:
- Ferrous sulfate in an amount of 320 mg.
- Ascorbic acid in an amount of 60 mg.
As additional components are used: magnesium stearate, carbomer 934, povidone, polyethylene powder. The shell is made of yellow iron oxide, hypromellose, macrogol 6000, titanium dioxide, paraffin wax.
Pharmacological effects
Sorbifer is a combination medicine used to normalize deficient levels of iron accompanying various anemic conditions. The antianemic effect due to the use of the medication develops due to the effect on the body of ascorbic acid and iron sulfate in the preparation.
In accordance with the instructions for use, Sorbifer is characterized by high absorbability, while iron ions are released gradually. This prevents the oversaturation of the gastrointestinal tract and blood with iron. Under the influence of iron sulfate and vitamin C, hemoglobin production and oxygen transportation are ensured. Ascorbic acid plays the role of collagen and an antioxidant that promotes tissue regeneration. The drug can be used in the treatment of patients with iron absorption disorders and its chronic deficiency.
Instructions for use with Sorbifer tablets confirm this.
Pharmacokinetics
Durules is a special technology that provides a uniform and gradual intake of iron ions in the body. Compared with other iron-containing medicines, the absorption of Sorbifer is 30% higher if the drug is taken twice a day.
Iron is characterized by high absorption and bioavailability. Absorption occurs mainly in the tissues of the duodenum 12 and the proximal part of the small intestine. Iron is 90% bound to plasma proteins. Deposition occurs in the muscles (in the form of myoglobin), as well as in hepatocytes and phagocytic macrophages (in the form of hemosiderin or ferritin).
The drug is excreted on average 6 hours.
Indications for use
What else can you learn from the instructions for use with Sorbifer? Experts recommend that patients take medication in the following cases:
- With the loss of iron on the background of certain physiological conditions (blood donation, pregnancy, lactation period).
- With a low level of hemoglobin in the blood.
- With anemia.
- As a prophylactic.
Contraindications
"Sorbifer" is absolutely contraindicated in patients if the following pathological or physiological conditions are present:
- Obstructive changes in the digestive tract, esophageal stenosis.
- Hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis or other diseases characterized by an increased content of iron in the body.
- Disruption of iron utilization processes accompanying hemolytic, lead, sideroblastic anemia.
- Increased susceptibility to the components used to make the medication.
- Age to 12 years.
During pregnancy, "Sorbifer" according to the instructions for use can be used.
It is important to exercise caution when prescribing the drug to patients with diagnosed ulcerative lesions of the stomach, duodenum, diverticulitis, enteritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or other intestinal diseases.
Use by pregnant women and in the lactation period
Almost all pregnant women have different levels of iron deficiency, which provokes anemic disorders. This carries a danger to both the fetus and the woman herself. In this regard, experts recommend taking iron-containing medications for prophylactic purposes over the past two trimesters.
Most often, experts opt for Sorbifer, since its administration allows for a fairly rapid increase in the amount of hemoglobin.
According to the instructions for use of Sorbifer, if the drug is used as a prophylactic, it is recommended to take 1 tablet once a day. If the drug is indicated for the treatment of anemic manifestations, then the administration should be carried out once or twice (depending on the severity of anemia) per day in the amount of 1 tablet. In the last trimester, it is most often recommended to take 2 tablets of the drug, which must be divided into a couple of doses.
The duration of the course of taking the drug "Sorbifer" according to the instructions for use should be determined by the doctor on the basis of laboratory indicators of hemoglobin level. Some cases suggest continued medication for two months after recovery. This tactic allows you to replenish iron reserves.
Usage, dosage regimens
The instructions for use indicate that the drug can be used exclusively for oral administration. The coated tablet should be swallowed whole, while not crushing or chewing. It is necessary to wash down with a liquid in an amount of at least 100 ml. The medication should be taken at least 40 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after it.
Adult patients, adolescent patients are shown to take "Sorbifer" up to two times a day in the amount of 1 tablet. If necessary, in patients with anemia, the dosage can be increased to twice taking 4 tablets of the drug. The iron depot is replenished, as a rule, after 3-4 months of using the medication.
Therapy using Sorbifer should continue until an optimal hemoglobin level in the blood plasma is reached. For the purpose of further replenishment of the depot, subsequent administration of the medicine is allowed for another 2 months.
Negative impact
While using Sorbifer, some negative effects may develop. Among the most often manifested are gastrointestinal reactions, expressed by diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea. Negative effects occur much more often if the patient takes 400 or more milligrams of the drug.
Such manifestations as weakness, ulcerative lesions of the esophagus, esophageal stenosis, skin hyperthermia, allergic reactions, dizziness, headaches are rarely recorded.
Overdose
Symptoms of an overdose by Sorbifer are as follows: weak pulse, palpitations, acidosis, decreased blood pressure, hyperthermia, paresthesia, clammy sweat, vomiting, blood diarrhea, weakness, fatigue, and pale skin.
In the event of a severe overdose within 12 hours, peripheral circulatory collapse, hypoglycemia, coagulopathy, liver damage, muscle cramps, and renal failure develop. Coma is not ruled out.
This is confirmed by the instructions for use and reviews for the Sorbifer drug. During pregnancy, special care must be taken.
If the patient, for one reason or another, has taken a dose significantly higher than the recommended one, it is important to contact a medical institution immediately. First aid consists in washing the stomach, taking milk or a raw egg, which will help to bind the iron ions present in the digestive tract. As a therapeutic measure, deferoxamine, which is a complexing agent that binds free iron, should be introduced. Next, it is necessary to prescribe symptomatic treatment to the patient.
Special instructions for use
It is important to consider that the use of the drug can cause darkening of feces. The clinical significance of this phenomenon is not significant.
Cost
The average cost of Sorbifer packaging in Russian drugstores is at the level of 430 rubles. It depends on the region.
Analogs
If necessary, Sorbifer can be replaced by one of the following analogues:
- Actiferrin. Produced by the manufacturer in capsule form, in the form of syrup and oral drops. In addition to iron, D, L-serine is in its composition.
- Totem. Available in the form of a solution. Additional active components in its composition are gluconates of manganese, iron and copper.
- "Ferro-Folgamma." This drug has an extensive range of indications and contraindications. This is due to the presence in its composition of folic acid and cyanocobalamin.
- Tardiferon. It is an analogue of Sorbifer, however, unlike it, the content of the active component in it is lower - only 80 mg.
- Actiferrin. Produced by the manufacturer in capsule form.
- Fenyuls Zinc. It is the cheapest iron-containing drug. It will be a disadvantageous option if the patient is shown long-term therapy. This is due to the low capacity of the package, which contains only ten capsules.
Any replacement of the drug with its analogue should be agreed with the doctor.
We will not consider in detail instructions for use with Sorbifer analogues.
Reviews
Most often, there are positive reviews about the experience of using the medication during pregnancy. Experts note that the laboratory parameters of hemoglobin amid the use of a medication normalize quite quickly. Patients report that the likelihood of developing adverse reactions when using the drug in recommended dosages is minimal.
In the article, instructions for use and reviews were presented to the Sorbifer medication.