Ferrous Gluconate 300mg Tablets Bp
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Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
This medicine is available without prescription. However, you still need to take Ferrous Gluconate carefully to get the best results from it.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice
• You must contact a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve
• If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist
In this leaflet:
1. What Ferrous Gluconate is and what it is used for
2. Before you take Ferrous Gluconate
3. How to take Ferrous Gluconate
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ferrous Gluconate
6. Further information
1. What Ferrous Gluconate is and what it is used for
The name of your medicine is Ferrous Gluconate. This is a form of iron. Iron is needed by your body to help carry oxygen around it and to make oxygen available to your muscles when you exercise.
Ferrous Gluconate is used to:
• Increase levels of iron in your body when the levels are too low (treatment of iron deficiency)
• Stop the levels of iron in your body getting too low in the future (prevention of iron deficiency)
2. Before you take Ferrous Gluconate
Do not take Ferrous Gluconate if:
• You are allergic to ferrous gluconate, iron or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6)
• You have any blood problems other than with the levels of iron
• You are having regular blood transfusions
Do not take Ferrous Gluconate if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ferrous Gluconate.
Take special care with Ferrous Gluconate
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if:
• You have any serious gut (intestine) problems
• You are over 60 years old. You may be more likely to get a serious side effect
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ferrous Gluconate.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal medicines. This is because Ferrous Gluconate can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some other medicines can affect the way Ferrous Gluconate works.
In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
• 'Tetracycline' antibiotics such as minocycline and tetracycline
• 'Quinolone' antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and levofloxacin
• Medicines containing zinc
• Medicines for bone problems called 'biphosphonates' such as disodium etidronate or pamidronate
• Antacids - for indigestion or heart burn such as magnesium trisilicate
• Trientine and penicillamine - for removing copper from your body
• Entacapone - for Parkinson’s disease
• Methyldopa - for high blood pressure
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Ferrous Gluconate
The colours E122 and E124 can cause allergic type reactions including asthma. These reactions are more common in people who are allergic to aspirin.
This product contains sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
3. How to take Ferrous Gluconate
If this medicine is from your doctor or pharmacist, do exactly as they have told you. Otherwise, follow the instructions below. If you do not understand the instructions, or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking this medicine
• Take this medicine by mouth
• Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water
• Do not crush or chew the tablets
• Take about one hour before a meal
How much to take Adults
• When iron levels are too low take 4 to 6 tablets spread out through the day (1200mg to 1800mg in total). You can choose to take the tablets 2 at a time if that suits your daily routine better
• To stop iron levels getting too low in the future take 2 tablets each day (600mg in total)
Children aged 6 to12 years
Take 1 to 3 tablets each day if iron levels are too low or to stop them getting low in the future. Children under 6 years
These tablets are not recommended for children under 6 years. If a child under 6 years takes any of this medicine, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. Taking this medicine can be fatal for a child.
If you take more Ferrous Gluconate than you should
If you take more of this medicine than you should, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. Take the medicine pack with you .
If you forget to take Ferrous Gluconate
• If you forget to take a dose, leave out that dose and take the next dose when it is due
• Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Ferrous Gluconate can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
• Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) or heartburn
• Stomach pain, diarrhoea or constipation
• Darker coloured stools than usual
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to store Ferrous Gluconate
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children
• Do not use Ferrous Gluconate after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month
• Store in the original container tightly closed. Do not store above 25°C
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment
6. Further information
What Ferrous Gluconate contains
• The active substance is ferrous gluconate. Each tablet contains 300mg, which is equivalent to 35mg of ferrous iron
• The other ingredients are maize starch, talc, shellac, sucrose and the colours titanium dioxide (E171), (E122) and (E124)
What Ferrous Gluconate looks like and contents of the pack
The tablets are red, circular and sugar coated. Tablets are available in packs of 28 and 1000.
MA Holder: Zanza Laboratories (Holdings) Limited, Unit 2A, Olympic Way, Sefton Business Park, Liverpool L30 1RD, UK.
Distributed by: Zanza Laboratories Limited, Liverpool, UK. PL 39874/0023 054/03
Last leaflet revision: August 2011