Dephos Chewable Tablet

Indications

Elemental iron is the actual amount of iron supplied by an iron salt (such as Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Fumarate or an iron polymaltose complex). It is used to prevent and treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia, for example after heavy periods, blood loss, pregnancy, poor diet or fast growth in children. It is often combined with Folic Acid, Zinc or vitamins.

How It Works

The body needs iron to make haemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen. Iron supplements refill the body's iron stores so that enough healthy red blood cells can be made, which relieves tiredness, weakness and breathlessness caused by anaemia.

Dosage and Administration

• Treatment of iron deficiency (adults): commonly 100 to 200 mg of elemental iron a day, or as the doctor advises. Some doctors prefer a single dose once a day or on alternate days, which may be absorbed better and cause fewer stomach upsets.
• Prevention, including pregnancy: lower doses, often around 30 to 60 mg a day, as advised.
• Children: dose depends on body weight, as prescribed.

Iron is absorbed best on an empty stomach, about 1 hour before a meal. If it upsets your stomach, take it with or just after food. A drink rich in vitamin C, such as orange juice, helps absorption. Avoid tea, coffee and milk within 2 hours of a dose. Treatment usually continues for about 3 months after blood levels return to normal, to refill the stores.

Interactions

• Antacids, Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc supplements reduce iron absorption.
• Iron reduces the absorption of Doxycycline and other tetracyclines, Ciprofloxacin and other quinolone antibiotics, Levothyroxine, Levodopa, Methyldopa, Penicillamine and bisphosphonates such as Alendronic Acid.
• Keep these medicines at least 2 hours apart from iron (4 hours for Levothyroxine).
• Tea, coffee, milk, eggs and whole grains taken at the same time lower absorption.

Contraindications

• Iron overload conditions such as haemochromatosis or haemosiderosis.
• Anaemia not caused by lack of iron, such as thalassaemia or haemolytic anaemia, unless the doctor has confirmed iron deficiency.
• People receiving repeated blood transfusions.
• Allergy to any ingredient of the product.

Side Effects

Common: nausea, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhoea, and dark or black stools, which are harmless. Liquid iron can stain the teeth; use a straw or brush the teeth afterwards.

Get urgent medical help for black, sticky stools together with stomach pain or vomiting blood (which may mean bleeding in the gut), signs of a severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or difficulty breathing, or if a child swallows any iron tablets.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Iron is commonly recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding to prevent or treat anaemia. Use the dose your doctor advises.

Precautions and Warnings

• The cause of anaemia should be checked before long-term use. Thalassaemia carriers are common, and they should not take iron unless a test shows they lack it.
• Use with care in stomach ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease or a history of gut bleeding.
• Do not take two iron-containing products at the same time.
• Keep out of the reach of children. Iron poisoning is one of the most common causes of serious poisoning in young children.

Overdose

Iron overdose is dangerous, especially in children. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, blood in vomit or stools and drowsiness. The person may seem to improve and then become seriously ill with shock and liver damage a day or two later. Go to hospital immediately, even if there are no symptoms yet, and take the pack with you.

Therapeutic Class

Iron preparation (antianaemic, haematinic).

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children.