Fefol 150mg/0.5mg Capsules

Ferrous sulphate and folic acid is a combination of iron and a vitamin, often used before and during pregnancy.

• Ferrous sulphate is a form of iron that helps the body make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen. It treats and prevents iron deficiency anaemia.
• Folic acid is a man-made form of vitamin B9 (folate). It helps a baby's brain and spine develop properly, lowering the risk of conditions like spina bifida, and treats folate deficiency anaemia.

The World Health Organization recommends daily iron and folic acid during pregnancy to reduce the risk of anaemia in the mother and low birth weight in the baby.

Take it as your doctor, midwife or pharmacist tells you, or as the label says.

• Iron is absorbed best on an empty stomach, but you can take it with or after food if it upsets your stomach.
• Swallow tablets or capsules whole with water. Do not suck or chew them.
• Leave about 2 hours between this medicine and tea, coffee, milk, dairy products or eggs.
• Leave a gap between it and other medicines such as antacids; 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.

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
• bloating or wind

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, including vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anaemia
• have haemochromatosis, sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia, or have repeated blood transfusions
• have a stomach ulcer, bowel disease or had stomach surgery
• have cancer or a coronary stent
• take antacids, calcium or zinc, some antibiotics (such as doxycycline, ciprofloxacin or co-trimoxazole), levothyroxine, epilepsy medicines (such as phenytoin), sulfasalazine, lithium, methyldopa or levodopa

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children, as an iron 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 any tablets.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: iron and folic acid are commonly taken in pregnancy and can usually be taken while breastfeeding. Some women need a higher folic acid dose, so ask your doctor or midwife which product is right for you.

Alcohol: best limited, as it can affect how well folic acid works.

Driving: not expected to affect driving.