Ferrous Fumarate is used to prevent or treat iron deficiency anaemia. The prevention of iron deficiency during pregnancy usually requires a combination of iron and folic acid. Iron is usually found in foods and is necessary for the normal development of red blood cells. A lack of iron affects the development of the red blood cells and causes a reduction in the number of red blood cells found in the body (iron deficiency anaemia).

Ferrous fumarate is an iron preparation that is used in the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency. The amount of elemental iron is 330 mg/g of ferrous fumarate.

Iron-deficiency anemia:

• Adult: Usual dose range: Up to 600 mg daily. May increase up to 1.2 g daily if necessary.
• Child: Preterm neonate: 0.6-2.4 ml / kg daily; up to 6 yr: 2.5-5 ml bid.

Should be taken on an empty stomach. Best taken on an empty stomach. May be taken with meals to reduce GI discomfort.

Oral absorption of iron may be increased when taken with ascorbic acid. May reduce the absorption of quinolones and tetracyclines when taken concurrently via the oral route. Concurrent admin with antacids may reduce the absorption of ferrous fumarate from the GI tract. May reduce the absorption of penicillamine in the gut when taken concurrently.

Patients with a known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. Hemochroma

Like all medicines, Ferrous Fumarate Tablets can sometimes cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. They might be:

• Heartburn
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Diarrhoea or constipation.

Also, you might find your stools are darker in color after you have taken this medicine. This is quite commonly seen with all iron preparations and is normal.

Pregnancy Category- Not Classified. FDA has not yet classified the drug into a specified pregnancy category

Patients with intestinal strictures and diverticular disease. May worsen diarrhoea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. May cause constipation and faecal impaction in elderly. Avoid prolonged admin (>6 mth) except in patients with continued bleeding, menorrhagia or repeated pregnancies. Not for routine use in treatment of haemolytic anaemia unless an iron-deficient state exists. Parenteral iron should not be used concurrently with oral iron treatment. Avoid use in patients receiving repeated blood tranfusions. Pregnancy.

Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, haematemesis and rectal bleeding. Hypotension, coma and hepatocellular necrosis may occur later.

Treatment: Empty stomach contents by gastric lavage within 1 hr of ingestion. In severe toxicity, IV desferrioxamine may be given. Whole bowel irrigation may also be considered in severe poisoning.

Oral Iron preparations