← Search & browse all drugs
BLOOD AND BLOOD FORMING ORGANS › ANTIANEMIC PREPARATIONS › IRON PREPARATIONS › Iron bivalent, oral preparations
ferrous ascorbate
B03AA10
Forms & Strengths
- Tablet: 100 mg elemental iron equivalent with 500 mg ascorbic acid
- Paediatric Drops: 10 mg elemental iron per mL
- Syrup: 30 mg elemental iron per 5 mL
Adult Dosing
- Iron deficiency anemia: 100 mg elemental iron (1 tablet) twice daily before meals
- Prophylaxis in pregnancy: 100 mg elemental iron once daily
Pediatric Dosing
- Infants and children under 12 years: 3 to 6 mg/kg/elemental iron per day divided in 2-3 doses
- Premature infants: 2 to 4 mg/kg/day starting at 2 months of age
Indications
- Treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anemia
- Anemia associated with chronic blood loss, pregnancy, and lactation
- Nutritional iron deficiency in pediatric and adult populations
Mechanism of Action
- Provides elemental iron essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and other iron-containing enzymes
- Ascorbic acid acts as a reducing agent, maintaining iron in the ferrous state and enhancing absorption in the gastrointestinal tract
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to ferrous salts, ascorbic acid, or any excipient
- Hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis
- Hemolytic anemia and other anemias not caused by iron deficiency
- Active peptic ulcer disease or inflammatory bowel disease
Adverse Reactions
- Gastrointestinal: Nausea, epigastric pain, constipation, diarrhea
- Stools: Dark or black coloration (harmless)
- Dental discoloration (liquid formulations)
Drug Interactions
- Antacids and proton pump inhibitors decrease iron absorption
- Oral tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and bisphosphonates: decreased absorption of both iron and the antimicrobial/agent (separate by 2-3 hours)
- Ascorbic acid increases aluminum absorption from concomitant antacids
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use