Folic Acid+iron+succinimide
About Folic Acid+iron+succinimide
Folic Acid+iron+succinimide is a medicine used to treat or prevent iron and folate deficiencies and the anaemia that may result from them. It provides iron and folic acid, which are essential nutrients needed for healthy red blood cell production. The exact form and amount of iron may vary between products and can affect the prescribed dose, absorption, and side effects.
By replenishing low iron and folate levels, Folic Acid+iron+succinimide helps the body produce healthy red blood cells and maintain the normal transport of oxygen throughout the body. As these nutrient levels improve with treatment, symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, or reduced energy may gradually improve.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Iron is usually absorbed best on an empty stomach with a glass of water. However, if it causes nausea or stomach discomfort, your doctor may advise taking it with or after food. Take Folic Acid+iron+succinimide regularly at the recommended time and do not take more than the prescribed dose.
Common side effects may include nausea, stomach discomfort, constipation, diarrhoea, and dark-coloured stools. Dark stools are common with iron-containing medicines and are usually harmless. Before taking Folic Acid+iron+succinimide, tell your doctor if you have an iron overload disorder, a stomach ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney or liver problems, or a history of repeated blood transfusions. Your doctor may order blood tests to identify the cause of your anaemia and check for vitamin B12 deficiency before or during treatment. Folic acid can improve the abnormal blood changes caused by vitamin B12 deficiency while allowing nerve damage to continue if the vitamin B12 deficiency remains untreated. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or an older adult, use Folic Acid+iron+succinimide only as advised by your doctor. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines and supplements you take, particularly antacids, calcium supplements, certain antibiotics, thyroid medicines, or other products containing iron or folic acid, as interactions may occur.
Uses of Folic Acid+iron+succinimide
Medicinal Benefits
Folic Acid+iron+succinimide helps restore iron and folate levels and supports the normal production of healthy red blood cells. Its main benefits include:
- Supports haemoglobin production: Iron helps the body produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.
- Supports healthy red blood cell formation: Folic acid helps the body produce and maintain healthy red blood cells.
- Helps improve deficiency-related symptoms: By correcting iron or folate deficiency, Folic Acid+iron+succinimide may help improve symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, or reduced energy.
- Supports increased nutritional needs: Folic Acid+iron+succinimide helps meet increased iron and folate requirements when advised by a doctor, such as during pregnancy or periods of increased nutritional need.
Directions for Use
- Folic Acid+iron+succinimide can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Folic Acid+iron+succinimide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dark or black-coloured stools (this is a harmless effect of unabsorbed iron)
- Mild nausea or temporary upset stomach
- Constipation or occasional diarrhoea
- Temporary loss of appetite
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Severe, persistent abdominal pain or cramping
- Vomiting blood or material that resembles coffee grounds
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or severe dizziness
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Drug Warnings
- Check the packaging and expiry date: Make sure the packaging is intact before use. Do not take the medicine if the packaging is damaged or the expiry date has passed.
- Separate antacids and calcium supplements from your dose: Antacids and calcium supplements may reduce iron absorption. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long to separate these products from Folic Acid+iron+succinimide.
- Expect darker stools: Iron-containing medicines may cause dark green or black stools. This is usually harmless. However, seek medical advice if your stools are black and tar-like or contain blood, particularly if you also have severe stomach pain, dizziness, or weakness.
- Attend follow-up appointments: Keep all appointments recommended by your doctor. You may need blood tests to monitor your haemoglobin and iron levels and assess how well the treatment is working.
- Keep the medicine away from children: Accidental iron overdose can be life-threatening, particularly in young children. Keep Folic Acid+iron+succinimide out of the sight and reach of children and seek immediate medical attention if a child accidentally swallows it.
Drug Interactions
- Certain antibiotics: Iron may reduce the absorption and effectiveness of tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, which are types of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. These medicines may need to be taken at different times.
- Thyroid medicines: Iron may reduce the absorption and effectiveness of levothyroxine, a medicine used to treat an underactive thyroid. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long to separate the doses.
- Medicines used to treat osteoporosis: Iron may reduce the absorption of bisphosphonates, medicines used to strengthen bones and treat osteoporosis. These medicines may need to be taken at different times.
- Antacids and acid-reducing medicines: Antacids and proton pump inhibitors, medicines that reduce stomach acid, may reduce iron absorption. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you take these medicines.
- Calcium supplements: Calcium may reduce iron absorption when taken at the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long to separate calcium supplements from Folic Acid+iron+succinimide.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Folic Acid+iron+succinimide to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your physician before taking Folic Acid+iron+succinimide if you are pregnant, your physician will suggest you Folic Acid+iron+succinimide if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionFolic Acid+iron+succinimide is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the physician thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
cautionSuccinimide in Folic Acid+iron+succinimide may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy, dizzy after taking Folic Acid+iron+succinimide.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your physician if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your physician if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
cautionFolic Acid+iron+succinimide can be given safely to children provided; a child specialist has recommended dose. Folic Acid+iron+succinimide is not recommended for children below the age of 6 years. For children aged 6 and above the dose of Folic Acid+iron+succinimide will be decided by a child specialist as an overdose of Folic Acid+iron+succinimide in children can lead to deadly poisoning.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include vitamin C-rich foods: Eat foods such as amla (Indian gooseberry), guava, oranges, tomatoes, and peppers as part of a balanced diet. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more effectively.
- Eat iron- and folate-rich foods: Include green leafy vegetables, dal, beans, chickpeas, other pulses, and ragi as part of a varied diet. These foods can support your nutritional intake but should not replace Folic Acid+iron+succinimide or other treatment prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid taking tea or coffee with your medicine: Tea, including chai, and coffee contain natural compounds that may reduce iron absorption. Avoid taking Folic Acid+iron+succinimide with these drinks and ask your doctor or pharmacist how long to separate them from your dose.
- Increase your fibre intake gradually: Include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, and pulses to help prevent or relieve constipation. Increase fibre gradually to reduce bloating or stomach discomfort.
Stay well-hydrated: Drink enough water and other suitable fluids throughout the day to support digestion and help maintain regular bowel movements.
Special Advise
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaemia: It is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to various body tissues. Anaemia can be temporary, which can be treated with the help of supplements, and it can also be long-term, which might require medical procedures. It makes you feel tired very quickly due to a lack of oxygen supply in the body. It is one of the most common blood disorders.
FAQs
Folic Acid+iron+succinimide is used to treat Iron deficiency (anaemia).
Folic Acid+iron+succinimide helps the body make more red blood cells and helps the red blood cells carry out more oxygenated blood to other tissues of the body.
Folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies usually happen when a person does not take proper diet and vitamin B12 deficiency happening in the elderly, due to poor absorption. Folate is present in more concentration in leafy green vegetables, legumes and some fruits, so consume such products.
Iron is an important mineral in the body required by red blood cells to carry oxygen to other body cells and tissues. By combining with a protein called haemoglobin, it helps in attracting oxygen in the lugs. Factors including pregnancy, blood loss, or low iron in the diet can reduce the iron supply leading to anaemia.
Folic Acid+iron+succinimide may cause constipation; however, not everyone experiences it. Eating more high fibre foods like vegetables, fresh fruit, and cereals, and drinking plenty of water can relieve symptoms.
Some foods can affect the absorption of Folic Acid+iron+succinimide, including tea, coffee, milk dairy products, eggs, and soybean products, so avoid taking these foods within or after 2 hours of taking this medicine.
Iron is usually absorbed best on an empty stomach. However, if Folic Acid+iron+succinimide causes nausea or stomach discomfort, you may take it with or after food as advised by your doctor.
Avoid taking Folic Acid+iron+succinimide at the same time as milk or dairy products, as calcium may reduce iron absorption. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long to separate them from your dose.
Tea and coffee contain natural compounds that may reduce iron absorption. Avoid taking Folic Acid+iron+succinimide with tea or coffee. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on the appropriate timing.
Iron-containing medicines commonly cause dark green or black stools. This is usually harmless. However, seek medical advice if your stools are black and tar-like or contain blood, particularly if you also have severe stomach pain, dizziness, or weakness.
Not necessarily. The dose used to prevent iron or folate deficiency may differ from the dose used to treat a confirmed deficiency or anaemia. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on your blood-test results, nutritional needs, medical history, and the specific formulation of Folic Acid+iron+succinimide.
Give Folic Acid+iron+succinimide to a child only if it has been prescribed by a doctor. The appropriate dose depends on the child's age, weight, nutritional needs, and reason for treatment. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children, as accidental iron overdose can be life-threatening.
Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems before taking Folic Acid+iron+succinimide. Your doctor will assess whether the medicine is suitable for you and determine whether additional monitoring is needed.
