Acefer-F Tablet 100mg Tablets

Elemental iron is the amount of iron itself provided by an iron medicine, whatever salt or form it comes in (such as ferrous sulfate or ferrous fumarate). Iron helps the body make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body.

Oral iron is used to:

• treat iron deficiency anaemia, which can cause tiredness, pale skin, breathlessness and palpitations
• prevent anaemia in people at risk, such as during pregnancy or after blood loss

Most people feel better after 3 to 4 weeks, but it can take 2 to 4 months to work fully.

Take it as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, or as the label says. Forms differ, so follow the advice for your product.

• Many iron salts work best on an empty stomach, but you can take them with or after food if they upset your stomach.
• Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not suck or chew them.
• Leave about 2 hours between iron and tea, coffee, milk, dairy or eggs. Your doctor may suggest taking it with orange juice or vitamin C.
• Leave a gap between iron and other medicines; ask your pharmacist how long.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next is nearly due. Never take two doses together.
• Keep taking it for as long as advised, often for some months after levels recover.

Common side effects include:

• feeling or being sick, stomach discomfort or heartburn
• constipation or diarrhoea
• loss of appetite
• darker poo, which is expected and usually harmless
• stained teeth with liquid forms

Get medical help straight away if:

• your poo is black and tar-like, or red, or has blood in it, or you feel unwell in any other way
• you have swelling of the face, lips or throat, or trouble breathing
• a child swallows any iron tablets not meant for them

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have a type of anaemia not caused by low iron, or haemochromatosis
• have sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia, or have repeated blood transfusions
• have a stomach ulcer, bowel disease, or had stomach surgery
• take antacids, calcium, magnesium or zinc supplements, some antibiotics (such as doxycycline or ciprofloxacin), levothyroxine, bisphosphonates, levodopa, methyldopa, penicillamine, or HIV medicines such as dolutegravir

Do not take extra iron supplements or multivitamins with iron unless your doctor advises it.

Keep iron medicines out of the sight and reach of children, as an overdose can be fatal for a child. Store as directed on the pack.

Children: accidental overdose of iron is dangerous for children. Get urgent help if a child swallows iron tablets.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: iron supplements are safe in pregnancy when your iron is low, and can usually be taken while breastfeeding. Constipation and piles are common in pregnancy; ask for advice.

Tiredness: if you feel tired but have not been diagnosed with low iron, see a doctor first, as there may be other causes.