ferrous fumarate and folic acid

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have iron overload syndrome, hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells), porphyria (an enzyme disorder that causes blue discoloration of the skin), thalassemia (a genetic disorder of red blood cells), if you are an alcoholic, or if you receive regular blood transfusions.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of iron can be fatal, especially in a young child.

Symptoms of a ferrous fumarate and folic acid overdose may include nausea, severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse, pale skin, blue lips, and seizure (convulsions).

Take ferrous fumarate and folic acid on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Avoid taking antacids or antibiotics within 2 hours before or after taking ferrous fumarate and folic acid.

Ferrous fumarate and folic acid is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat to make sure you get enough iron and folic acid from both your diet and your medication.

Ferrous fumarate is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. In your body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin (HEEM o glo bin) and myoglobin (MY o glo bin). Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.

Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.

Ferrous fumarate and folic acid is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body).

Ferrous fumarate and folic acid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• iron overload syndrome;
• hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells);
• porphyria (an enzyme disorder that causes blue discoloration of the skin);
• thalassemia (a genetic disorder of red blood cells);
• if you are an alcoholic; or
• if you receive regular blood transfusions.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use ferrous fumarate and folic acid, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

It is not known whether this medication could be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give ferrous fumarate and folic acid to a child younger than 12 years old.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take ferrous fumarate and folic acid on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Ferrous fumarate and folic acid is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat to make sure you get enough iron and folic acid from both your diet and your medication.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of iron can be fatal, especially in a young child.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse, pale skin, blue lips, and seizure (convulsions).

Do not take any vitamin or mineral supplements that your doctor has not prescribed or recommended.

Avoid taking an antibiotic medicine within 2 hours before or after you take ferrous fumarate and folic acid. This is especially important if you are taking an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

Certain foods can also make it harder for your body to absorb ferrous fumarate. Avoid taking this medication within 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating fish, meat, liver, and whole grain or "fortified" breads or cereals.

Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb ferrous fumarate.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• sore throat, trouble swallowing;
• severe stomach pain; or
• blood in your stools.

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea;
• constipation;
• nausea, vomiting, heartburn;
• leg pain; or
• darkened skin or urine color.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Before using ferrous fumarate and folic acid, tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:

• acetohydroxamic acid (Lithostat);
• etidronate (Didronel); or
• levodopa (Larodopa, Lodosyn);
• methyldopa (Aldomet);
• penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen);
• phenytoin (Dilantin); or
• dimercaprol (an injection used to treat poisoning by arsenic, lead, or mercury).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ferrous fumarate and folic acid. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ferrous fumarate and folic acid.