Saferon is formulated as chewable tablets, drops or syrup. The main ingredient of the drug is iron, for supplementation, treating anemia and iron deficiency.
1. Uses of Saferon
Saferon medicine is formulated in the following forms:
- 1 chewable tablet contains: 100mg elemental iron and 500mcg folic acid;
- 1ml of drops contains: 50mg elemental iron;
- 5ml syrup contains: 50mg elemental iron.
All three forms of the drug are iron tablets containing iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose complex. This complex is stable, safe, less irritating to the stomach, well tolerated and has fewer interactions than conventional iron salts. The chewable tablet form has additional folic acid(vitamin B9), an essential substance in many metabolic processes.
Saferon is indicated in the following cases:
- Prevention and treatment of latent iron deficiency,iron deficiency anemia, and iron deficiency. People who often experience this condition are: Women before, during, after pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- Children with iron deficiency due to dietary habits.
The following groups of subjects are recommended to contraindicate the use of Saferon:
- People who are sensitive to ingredients in the drug;
- Non-iron deficiency anemia: Eg. erythropoiesis disorders, hemolytic anemia, bone marrow hypoplasia;
- Iron overload syndrome;
- Disorders of iron metabolism or iron storage.
2. Saferon dosage and administration
Depending on the level of iron deficiency, the dosage and duration of medication will vary from person to person. The daily dose can be taken once or divided into small doses.
2.1 Saferon tablet form
Directions: Swallow whole or chew, take after meals for best results.
Recommended dose:
- Children under 12 years of age but old enough to swallow tablets whole: 1⁄2 - 1 tablet/day;
- Children over 12 years old and adults: 1 - 2 tablets/day;
- Pregnant women: 2 - 3 tablets/day. deficiency anemia prevention : 1⁄2 - 1 tablet/day.
When hemoglobin values return to normal, treatment should be continued for another 3 months to replenish the body's iron reservation.
2.2 Saferon drops
How to use: Take Saferon drops during or after meals. The medicine can be mixed with food, vegetable juice, or fruit juice before feeding the child.
Recommended dosage:
- Premature infants: Use a dose of 1 - 2 drops/kg/day for 3 - 5 months if there is obvious iron deficiency;
- Children under 1 year old: Use 10 - 20 drops/day if clearly iron deficient; 6 - 10 drops/day if latent iron deficient; 2 - 4 drops/day for preventive treatment;
- Children 1 - 12 years old: Use 20 - 40 drops/day if there is obvious iron deficiency; 10 - 20 drops/day if there is latent iron deficiency; 4 - 6 drops/day if for preventive treatment.
If there is evidence of iron deficiency, treatment should be continued for 3-5 months until hemoglobin values return to normal. Treatment should then be continued for several weeks at the dose prescribed for latent iron deficiency to replenish the body's iron stores.
2.3 Saferon syrup form
Directions: Take syrup during or immediately after meals.
Recommended dosage:
- Children under 1: Dose of 2.5 - 5ml/day if clearly iron deficient;
- Children from 1 to 12 years old: Use a dose of 5 - 10ml/day if there is obvious iron deficiency; 2.5 - 5ml/day if there is latent iron deficiency;
- Children over 12 years old, adults, and breastfeeding women: Use a dose of 10 - 20ml/day if there is obvious iron deficiency; 5 - 10ml/day if there is latent iron deficiency;
- Pregnant women: Use 20 - 30ml/day if there is obvious iron deficiency; 10ml/day if there is latent iron deficiency; 5 - 10ml/day if for preventive treatment.
If there is any evidence of iron deficiency, treatment should be continued for 3-5 months until hemoglobin values return to normal. Treatment should then be continued for several weeks at doses used for latent iron deficiency to replenish the body's iron storage.
There have been no reports of Saferon overdose. Symptoms of iron overdose include: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, tarry stools, weakness, rapid pulse, fever, coma, convulsions, death,... Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, safe in high doses, with a very low risk of toxicity. In case of iron overdose, the patient needs to be rushed to the emergency room for symptomatic treatment and timely support.
3. Side effects of Saferon
Side effects of Saferon are rare. Side effects, if any, include: Gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, metallic taste in the mouth, constipation, black stools, diarrhea) or hypersensitivity reactions. Gastrointestinal side effects, if evidenced, can be minimized by taking the drug with food and after eating. If side effects of Saferon occur, patients should immediately notify their doctor.
4. Saferon drug interactions
No drug interactions with Saferon have been observed. Iron tablets are in complex form so there is almost no interaction with iron ions:
- Some substances in food: Oxalate, tannin, phytin,...;
- Tetracycline, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolone antibiotics;
- Antacids such as cimetidine;
- Other drugs: Methotrexate, phenytoin, levodopa, levothyroxine.
Note: Folic acid deficiency can occur due to anticonvulsants, anti-tuberculosis drugs, alcohol, oral contraceptives, folic acid antagonists (such as pyrimethamine, triamterene, methotrexate, trimethoprim, and sulfonamides).
To avoid possible drug interactions, Saferon should be taken at least 2 hours apart from other medications and you should immediately inform your doctor about any medications you are taking.
Saferon contains many substances necessary for the body. However, users need to be careful when using the drug, strictly following the doctor's instructions. If any questions need to be answered, users should ask the doctor directly for specific advice.
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