Feropen Z

Uses

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).

Zinc Sulphate is used for Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections; Diarrhoea; Loss of appetite; Severe growth retardation; Deformed bone formation; Impaired immunological response; Acrodermatitis enteropathica; Parakeratatic skin lesions; Defective and delayed wound healing; Anaemia; Night blindness; Mental disturbances

Feropen Z is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Folic acid antagonist overdose, Iron Deficiency (ID), Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA), Oral Contraceptives

How Feropen Z works

Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin. Iron-deficiency can lead to decreased production of hemoglobin and a microcytic, hypochromic anemia.

Dosage

Feropen Z dosage

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.

Syrup-

• Children under 10 kg: One teaspoonful 2 times daily.
• Children within 10 to 30 kg: Two teaspoonful 1-3 times daily.
• Adults and children over 30 kg body weight: Four teaspoonful 1-3 times daily.

Tablet-In the treatment of Diarrhoea Zinc should be given as soon as diarrhoea starts:

• For infants between 2 to 6 months of age: 10 mg Zinc once daily for 10-14 days.
• For children between 6 months to 5 years of age: 20 mg Zinc once daily for 10-14 days.

For other indications:

• The recommended dose for children: 2 to 2.5 mg/kg/day.
• Children under 10 kg: 10 mg Zinc 2 times daily.
• Children within 10 to 30 kg: 20 mg Zinc 1-3 times daily.
• Adults and children over 30 kg body weight: 40 mg Zinc 1-3 times daily.

Dispersible Tablet-

• Place the tablet in a teaspoon
• Add adequate amount of water
• Let the tablet dissolve completely
• Give the entire spoonful solution

Side Effects

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.

In case of zinc mild side effects such as gastric ulcer, nausea, vomiting, metallic taste, headache, drowsiness have been observed.

Toxicity

Acute iron overdosage can be divided into four stages. In the first stage, which occurs up to six hours after ingestion, the principal symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. Other symptoms include hypotension, tachycardia and CNS depression ranging from lethargy to coma. The second phase may occur at 6-24 hours after ingestion and is characterized by a temporary remission. In the third phase, gastrointestinal symptoms recur accompanied by shock, metabolic acidosis, coma, hepatic necrosis and jaundice, hypoglycemia, renal failure and pulmonary edema. The fourth phase may occur several weeks after ingestion and is characterized by gastrointestinal obstruction and liver damage. In a young child, 75 milligrams per kilogram is considered extremely dangerous. A dose of 30 milligrams per kilogram can lead to symptoms of toxicity. Estimates of a lethal dosage range from 180 milligrams per kilogram and upwards. A peak serum iron concentration of five micrograms or more per ml is associated with moderate to severe poisoning in many.

Precaution

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.

Concurrent administration of Zinc salt with penicillamine might diminish the effect of Penicillamine. The absorption of Zinc, although poor, may be decreased by various compounds including some foods. Chelation may occur with tetracyclines.

Interaction

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.

Zinc may inhibit the absorption of concurrently administered tetracyclines, when both are being given an interval of at least 3 hours.

Elimination Route

The efficiency of absorption depends on the salt form, the amount administered, the dosing regimen and the size of iron stores. Subjects with normal iron stores absorb 10% to 35% of an iron dose. Those who are iron deficient may absorb up to 95% of an iron dose.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

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

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid zinc doses higher than RDA amounts.

Contraindication

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

It is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to Zinc.

Acute Overdose

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.

Zinc sulphate is corrosive in overdose. Symptoms are corrosion and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and stomach; ulceration of the stomach followed by perforation may occur. Gastric lavage and emesis should be avoided. Demulcents such as milk should be given. Chelating agents such as sodium edetate may be useful.

Storage Condition

Store in a cool place. The syrup should be protected from light.

Innovators Monograph

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