Difol TR

Iron is a necessary part of the body. The body needs it to form haemoglobin and for the oxidative processes of living tissues. Most iron is absorbed from the duodenum and the upper jejunum, and the ferrous salt form is absorbed three times more readily than the ferric salt form.

An adult male needs only 13 µg/kg per day (about 1 mg). A menstruating female needs about 21 µg/kg per day (about 1.4 mg). In the last two trimesters of pregnancy the requirement rises to about 80 µg/kg per day (5 to 6 mg).

Folic acid is an important factor in cell division, and without it division stops. The body needs enough folic acid for normal erythropoiesis. Deficiency of folic acid causes megaloblastic anaemia.

Overdose of iron salts such as Ferrous Sulfate with Folic Acid can cause pain in the upper stomach (epigastric pain), nausea and vomiting, vomiting of blood (haematemesis) and circulatory collapse. In severe cases, encephalopathy, acute hepatic necrosis and acute renal failure may develop after a latent period.

The timed release capsule form of ferrous sulfate may slow down excessive absorption of iron, which gives more time to start the right counter measures.

Treatment is gastric lavage, followed by putting 5 gm of desferrioxamine into the stomach. Serum iron levels should be monitored. In severe cases, intravenous desferrioxamine should be given together with supportive and symptomatic measures as required.

Store Ferrous Sulfate + Folic Acid at a temperature no higher than 25°C. Keep it away from light and from damp places, and keep it out of the reach of children.