About Ferrous Ascorbate + Folic Acid 100 mg/1.5 mg Tablet
Ferrous Ascorbate + Folic Acid 100 mg/1.5 mg Tablet contains Ferrous Ascorbate 100 mg + Folic Acid 1.5 mg. This combination provides iron and folic acid. It is used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia, including during pregnancy. Iron helps make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood, and folic acid is a B vitamin needed to make healthy red blood cells.
Uses of Ferrous Ascorbate + Folic Acid 100 mg/1.5 mg Tablet
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Prevention and treatment of anaemia in pregnancy and after childbirth
- Iron and folic acid deficiency, as advised by your doctor
Benefits
In iron deficiency anaemia
It replaces the iron and folic acid your body needs to make red blood cells. This can ease tiredness, weakness and breathlessness caused by anaemia over a few weeks of regular use.
Side effects
Black stools are expected with iron. Stomach side effects are usually mild and may ease if taken with food.
Common
- Dark or black stools (harmless)
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Stomach discomfort
- Diarrhoea
Get medical help if you notice
- Severe stomach pain, vomiting blood or black, sticky stools with dizziness — seek medical help
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
- If a child swallows tablets by accident — get emergency help straight away, as iron overdose is dangerous for children
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Swallow the tablet with water. It may be taken after food if it upsets your stomach.
How it works
Iron is absorbed from the gut and used to make haemoglobin in red blood cells. The ascorbate form helps the body absorb iron. Folic acid helps the body make new, healthy red blood cells.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
No direct interaction is known, but heavy drinking can worsen anaemia and harm the liver. Limit alcohol.
Pregnancy Safe
Iron and folic acid supplements are commonly prescribed in pregnancy. Take them as your doctor advises.
Breastfeeding Safe
Iron and folic acid are commonly used while breastfeeding. Take as your doctor advises.
Driving Safe
It does not affect driving.
Kidney Consult your doctor
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, as anaemia in kidney disease may need different treatment.
Liver Consult your doctor
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a condition that causes iron build-up.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Do not take it with tea, coffee, milk or antacids; keep them about 2 hours apart.
- Keep it out of the reach of children — iron overdose is dangerous for them.
- Go for blood tests as advised to check your response.
- Do not take it if you have a condition with too much iron in the body, unless your doctor says so.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Iron salt (ferrous ascorbate) + B vitamin (folic acid)
- Therapeutic class
- Haematinic / blood-related
- Action class
- Iron and folic acid supplement
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Antacids, calcium supplements, tea, coffee and milk | Reduce iron absorption; take at a different time |
| Tetracycline and doxycycline antibiotics | Iron and these antibiotics reduce each other's absorption; keep them apart |
| Quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin | Iron reduces their absorption; keep them apart |
| Levothyroxine | Iron reduces its absorption; keep them at least 4 hours apart |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Ferrous ascorbate and folic acid prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: iron deficiency anaemia; folic acid). Pharmacist review pending.