Ferfolic SV (discontinued in the UK - 2006)

How does it work?

This medicine contains three ingredients, ferrous gluconate, folic acid and ascorbic acid. Ferrous gluconate is an iron preparation. Iron is a vital component of haemoglobin (oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells) and is therefore important in the formation of red blood cells. It is also a component of myoglobin, a pigment which stores oxygen in muscles for use during exercise. Iron is an essential component of several enzymes and is involved the uptake of oxygen by the cells and the conversion of blood sugar to energy. Iron deficiency can occur due to poor diet, malabsorption or increased iron requirements, such as during pregnancy. Ferrous gluconate is given to treat anaemia caused by iron deficiency. Folic acid is a vital component of some important enzymes in the body. It is needed for making the genetic material of a cell, thus enabling new cells to be generated. Folic acid is also important for the maintenance of a healthy nervous system and in forming red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. A deficiency of folic acid in the body due to poor diet, malabsorption or pregnancy can also cause anaemia due to decreased production of red blood cells. In these cases folic acid supplements are required to treat the anaemia. Folic acid is also recommended for women planning a pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is to help the development of the foetal spinal cord, as folic acid deficiency can cause neural tube defects which lead to conditions such as spina bifida. The high dose of folic acid in this preparation is given to women planning pregnancies, who have previously given birth to a child with a neural tube defect (or who have spina bifida themselves or whose partner has spina bifida). These women are at greater risk of having a child with a neural tube defect. The inclusion of iron in the preparation can also help to prevent iron deficiency during pregnancy. This medicine is also used to treat anaemia due to both iron and folic acid deficiency. This can occur due to poor diet and/or malabsorption owing to disorders of the gut. It may also occur in pregnancy, where requirements of both substances are increased. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is included in this preparation as it aids absorption of the iron from the gut.

What is it used for?

Anaemia of pregnancy

Iron and folic acid deficiency anaemia

Prevention of neural tube birth defects such as spina bifida in high risk women

Warning!

Take this medicine with or after food.

Use with caution in

Decreased numbers of red blood cells in the bloodstream caused by an increase in their breakdown (haemolytic anaemia)

Genetic disease resulting in too much iron storage in the tissues

Not to be used in

Children

Vitamin B12 deficiency

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is recommended and safe to take during pregnancy.

There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by breastfeeding mothers.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence)

Swelling of abdomen (abdominal distension)

Nausea and vomiting

Loss of appetite

Blackening of the stools

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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