Do you always feel tired and lethargic? Do you feel weak even after doing small tasks? Do you sometimes feel dizzy and your skin looks pale? These are often symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. So, did your doctor prescribe you a medicine called Ferric Maltol for this condition? So, today we will talk about what this medicine is and how to use it exactly.
Simply put, what is Ferric Maltol?
Ferric Maltol is a medicine that helps restore the low iron levels in your body. Now, look, the main job of the red blood cells in our blood is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the other cells in the body. Red blood cells cannot do this job properly without the mineral iron.
Think of it this way: our body is like a car. Just as a car needs gasoline to run, our body cells need oxygen to function. The truck that carries that oxygen everywhere is the red blood cell. So, to make that truck, we need the raw material called iron. When there is not enough iron, these trucks (red blood cells) cannot be made properly. Then the body does not get the amount of oxygen it needs. That is why we feel tired and weak. Ferric Maltol capsules provide the body with the amount of iron it needs.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing this medication, your doctor will ask you some questions. But it is also important for you to inform your doctor about these things.
- Do you already have a condition called high levels of iron in the blood?
- Do you receive repeated blood transfusions? - Because when you donate blood, your body accumulates iron.
- Do you have any problems with your intestines or stomach? (For example, intestinal ulcers, gastritis, etc.)
- Do you have an allergic reaction to Ferric Maltol or any other medicine, food, or preservative?
- Are you pregnant? Or are you hoping to get pregnant?
- Are you a breastfeeding mother?
It is very important for your safety to tell the doctor about these things.
How to use the medicine correctly?
To get the most out of this medicine, it is essential to know how to use it correctly.
- This medicine should be taken by mouth with a glass of water .
- Do not break, crush, or chew the pods for any reason. Swallow the pods whole.
- The most important thing: This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach . That means at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. Taking it with food reduces the absorption of the iron in the medicine.
- Do not take antacids with this medicine. Do not take gastritis medicine within two hours of taking iron tablets.
- Take your medicine at the prescribed intervals, as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than the prescribed amount.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. Iron is a substance that can be toxic to the body if taken in excess.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Therefore, do not share your medicine with others.
What do you do if you miss a dose?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take both the missed dose and the next dose at the same time.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Ferric Maltol is a medication that can interact with some other medications. Therefore, you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (vitamins, supplements, Ayurvedic medicines, even herbal remedies).
The table below lists some of the medications that are most likely to interact with Ferric Maltol.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medicines for gastritis (Antacids) | Medicines like Cimetidine, Famotidine, Omeprazole |
| Some antibiotics | Quinolone and Tetracycline drugs such as Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline , Tetracycline |
| Medicines to strengthen bones | Alendronate, Risedronate |
| Thyroid hormones | Thyroxine |
| Medications for Parkinson's disease | Carbidopa; levodopa |
| Other minerals | Zinc supplements |
Important: This list is not complete. It is therefore safest to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Ferric Maltol can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are common and not serious. However, some may require immediate medical attention.
| Notify your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions - skin rash, itching, swelling of the eyes/lips/tongue or face, difficulty breathing. | |
| It's usually not serious, but if it persists, tell your doctor. | |
| Constipation | Constipation may occur while taking the medication. |
| Dark stools | This is normal. It is normal for your stool to be black or dark green when taking iron tablets. Don't worry about this. |
| Metallic taste in the mouth | Some people may experience a different, metallic taste in their mouth. |
| Nausea and stomach discomfort | Stomach upset and nausea may occur. |
Other things to be careful about when taking the medicine
Iron deficiency anemia usually takes 3 to 6 months to treat. Therefore, you should take the medication for the full duration of your treatment. You will also need to have blood tests to check your iron and hemoglobin levels during treatment. Do not take iron tablets for longer than prescribed without your doctor's advice. Doing so can lead to an excess of iron in your body and other health problems.
How to keep medicine safe?
This is very important. Do not leave iron tablets where small children can get them. Even a small amount of iron can be very harmful and even fatal to a small child. Keep the medicine bottle tightly closed and store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Ferric Maltol is a medicine for iron deficiency. If used correctly, it can help you get rid of your tiredness and lethargy.
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach . That means one hour before or two hours after a meal.
- Swallow the medicine whole , without breaking, crushing, or chewing .
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including decoctions and arishta).
- It is normal to have black stools when taking the medicine, so don't worry about it. However, if you experience any allergic symptoms (swelling of the face, difficulty breathing), seek medical advice immediately.
- Always keep medicine safely out of the reach of small children.
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