ELEMENTAL IRON+VITAMIN C+FOLIC ACID
About
ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C belongs to the group of medicines called 'nutritional supplements,' primarily used to treat and prevent nutritional deficiencies. A nutritional deficiency occurs when the body does not absorb or get enough nutrients from food. Vitamins and minerals are essential in balancing the body's nutritional requirements and thus preventing diseases.
ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C is a combination of Elemental Iron (ferrous fumarate), Folic acid (Vitamin B9) and Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid). Elemental Iron is an essential body mineral required to form red blood cells to carry oxygen to other body cells and tissues. Folic acid helps the body make healthy new cells. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has several important functions, including helping to protect cells and keep them healthy, maintaining healthy skin, blood vessels, bones, and cartilage, and helping with wound healing.
ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C may cause common side effects such as stomach upset, constipation, and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, if these symptoms persist longer, please consult your doctor.
Do not take ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C if you are known to be allergic to ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C or its components. Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have any heart/kidney/liver diseases before starting ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C. It is essential to seek medical advice before starting ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C should not be given to children unless recommended by a doctor.
Uses of ELEMENTAL IRON+VITAMIN C+FOLIC ACID
Medicinal Benefits
ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C contains Elemental Iron (ferrous fumarate), Folic acid (Vitamin B9) and Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid). Elemental iron is a mineral that the body requires to make red blood cells, which transport oxygen to other cells and tissue. Folic acid aids the body's ability to generate healthy new cells. Vitamin C, commonly known as ascorbic acid, serves a variety of activities, including cell protection and maintenance, improving bone and cartilage health, absorption of iron from the stomach and wound healing.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of ELEMENTAL IRON+VITAMIN C+FOLIC ACID
- Stomach upset
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C if you are allergic to any components present in it. Brief your medical history to the doctor if you have any heart/kidney/liver diseases before starting ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C. Drinking alcohol may affect iron absorption; therefore, seeking medical advice before using ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C is advised. ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C should be used in children only when recommended by the doctor. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is the leading cause of death in children under the age of six. Keep this item out of reach of children. If an overdose occurs, seek medical attention immediately or contact a poison control centre.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C may interact with antacids, fits medicines (e.g. phenytoin), antibiotics (e.g. doxycycline, ciprofloxacin), medicines to treat bone problems (e.g. bisphosphonates like alendronate), antirheumatic drugs (e.g. penicillamine), medicines to treat Parkinson's disease (e.g. levodopa), and thyroid medicines (e.g. levothyroxine).
Drug-Food Interactions: It is advised to limit/avoid alcohol intake while using ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C.
Drug-Disease Interactions: ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C should be used with caution in heart, liver, or kidney diseases. Please seek medical advice if you have any pre-existing medical conditions.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to seek your doctor's advice since alcohol intake while using ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C may hinder iron absorption.
Pregnancy
safe if prescribedELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C should be used during pregnancy only when advised by your doctor. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to conceive before taking ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C.
Breast Feeding
cautionELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C may pass into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding while taking ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C.
Driving
safeELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C usually does not usually affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionThere is limited information available about the use of ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C in patients with liver impairment. If you have a history of liver disease, tell your doctor before taking ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C.
Kidney
cautionLimited information is available about using ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C in patients with kidney impairment. If you have a history of kidney disease, tell your doctor before taking ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C.
Children
cautionELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C should not be given to children unless advised by a doctor. Consult your doctor for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a well-balanced diet.
- Include red meat, pork, poultry, and seafood in your diet.
- Iron sources like kidney beans, black beans, spinach, raisins, apricots, and lentils will help you improve your iron deficiency when taken along with ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C.
- Also, include iron-fortified cereals, bread, and pasta timely in your regular food intake.
- Try Vitamin B complex food sources like milk, cheese, eggs, liver and kidney, chicken, red meat, tuna, mackerel, salmon, shellfish, oysters, clams, dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale, beets, avocados, potatoes, whole grains, cereals, kidney beans, black beans, and chickpea.
- Vitamin C foods like orange juice, broccoli, strawberries, melons, and bell peppers enhance iron absorption into the body.
- You can also try iron gummies if you have sweet cravings.
- Recent trends, like using cast iron utensils for cooking, can also improve your iron levels.
Special Advise
Regular monitoring of iron and haemoglobin levels is advised to rule out the possibility of anaemia.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Nutritional deficiency: A nutritional deficiency occurs when the body does not absorb or get enough nutrients from food. This condition occurs when a person's nutrient intake exceeds the body's recommended requirement. It can lead to various health problems like a weak immune system, skin problems, digestion problems, defective bone growth, and neurological diseases.
FAQs
ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C is used to manage and treat nutritional deficiencies.
ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C is a dietary supplement. It contains Elemental Iron (ferrous fumarate), Folic acid (Vitamin B9) and Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid). When you lack these vitamins in your body, ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C helps normalise these deficient levels. Collectively, ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C treats nutritional deficiencies.
ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C is best absorbed if taken on an empty stomach. But in some patients, ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C may cause gastrointestinal disturbances like stomach upset when taken without food. So, please take it as suggested by your doctor if you have stomach problems.
Antacids may interfere with the absorption of iron. Hence, taking ELEMENTAL IRON+FOLIC ACID+VITAMIN C two hours before or four hours after taking antacids is advised.
Folate deficiency occurs when our body lacks adequate folic acid/folate levels. We can overcome this deficiency by including food sources rich in folic acid, like broccoli, brussels sprouts, leafy green vegetables, cabbage, kale, spring greens, spinach, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans and breakfast cereals fortified with folic acid. The doctor may advise supplements if your folic acid levels are still low.
It is important to tell your doctor if you have malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food) since it may be hard to absorb vitamins through oral administration. Your doctor may advise other dosage forms in such a case.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and follow your usual dosage. Do not double the dose.
