Filofer 30

Indications

Ferric Maltol is an iron medicine taken by mouth to treat iron deficiency in adults, with or without anaemia (low haemoglobin). It is often chosen for people who cannot tolerate other iron tablets, including people with inflammatory bowel disease.

How It Works

Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen. In ferric maltol, iron is bound to maltol, a sugar-derived compound. This keeps the iron stable in the gut until it is absorbed, which tends to cause less stomach irritation than many other iron salts.

Dosage and Administration

Adults: usually one 30 mg capsule twice a day, morning and evening, or as prescribed. Take on an empty stomach with half a glass of water, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Swallow the capsule whole; do not open or chew it. Treatment usually lasts at least 12 weeks, and the doctor will check blood tests to decide how long to continue. Children: as prescribed by a specialist.

Interactions

• Food, tea, coffee, milk, calcium, magnesium and antacids reduce iron absorption; keep them apart from your dose.
• Iron reduces the absorption of Tetracyclines, quinolone antibiotics (such as Ciprofloxacin), Levothyroxine, Penicillamine, Mycophenolate and bisphosphonates. Keep a gap of at least 2 hours, or as your doctor advises.
• Do not take with other iron products, including iron injections, unless the doctor advises.

Contraindications

• Allergy to ferric maltol or any ingredient.
• Iron overload conditions, such as haemochromatosis.
• Repeated blood transfusions.

Side Effects

Common: tummy pain, wind, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and bloating. Stools often turn dark or black, which is expected and harmless.

Get urgent medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (rash, swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing), vomiting blood, or black tarry stools together with stomach pain, weakness or dizziness, as this may be bleeding rather than the usual dark stool.

Pregnancy and Lactation

There is little information on use in pregnancy; use only if your doctor advises it. It is not expected to harm a breastfed baby, but ask your doctor before use.

Precautions and Warnings

• Find out the cause of iron deficiency with your doctor; blood loss from the gut or heavy periods may need treatment.
• Not recommended during a flare-up of inflammatory bowel disease unless the specialist advises.
• Tell the doctor about any liver or kidney disease.
• Keep iron medicines well out of reach of children.

Overdose

Iron overdose can be dangerous, especially in children. Signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and drowsiness, and serious effects can appear hours later. Seek urgent medical help, even if the person seems well.

Therapeutic Class

Oral iron preparation (antianaemic).

Storage

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