Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

The name of your medicine is Ferrous Fumarate 210mg Tablets. It will be referred to as Ferrous Fumarate Tablets for ease hereafter.

1. What Ferrous Fumarate Tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Ferrous Fumarate Tablets
3. How to take Ferrous Fumarate Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ferrous Fumarate Tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information

• You are allergic to ferrous fumarate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• You have noticed blood in your urine
• You suffer from any form of anaemia, other than iron deficiency anaemia, or from any other condition where your body’s iron is affected (your doctor will be able to advise you)
• You have bronze markings on your skin or you have been told that you have increased stores of iron in your tissues
• You are suffering from a recently diagnosed stomach or duodenal ulcer
• You are undergoing repeated blood transfusions
• You suffer from ulcerative colitis or any other inflammatory condition of the bowels.

Speak to your doctor if any of these apply to you before you take your medicine.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ferrous Fumarate Tablets if:

• You have had a stomach or duodenal ulcer in the past, or have one which is now under control with treatment
• You have had major surgery to your stomach
• You have problems associated with narrowing of your intestine (stricture) or out pocketing of the inner layer of your intestine (diverticular disease).

If any of these conditions apply to you, speak to your doctor before you take these tablets. Your doctor will want to watch you closely, and will advise you if any additional medicine is required to treat your condition.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

The effects of any of these medicines or of Ferrous Fumarate Tablets may change, particularly if you are taking:

• Certain medicines for treating infections (e.g. chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin)
• Medicines containing zinc, calcium or magnesium salts
• Levothyroxine, used for thyroid gland problems
• Medicines used for a disease known as ‘Parkinson’s disease’ (e.g. levodopa, entacapone)
• Methyl dopa, used for increase in blood pressure
• Penicillamine used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
• Colestyramine used to reduce cholesterol and fats in the blood
• Medicines for bone diseases (bisphosphonates)
• Trientine, used for high copper levels in blood
• Dimercaprol, used for various metal poisonings
• Mycophenolate, used during change of organs (transplant).

Ferrous Fumarate Tablets may be taken with meals. This may help to relieve any stomach-related side effects. However, it is advisable not to take your medicine with tea, eggs or milk as this may reduce the effect of the tablets. Ferrous Fumarate Tablets should be taken with a glass of water.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dosage, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

Ferrous Fumarate Tablets are not suitable for use in children.

Your medicine is very dangerous if taken by young children and care should be taken to keep the medicine safely out of the reach of children. If you have to go to another doctor or to the hospital tell them you are taking Ferrous Fumarate Tablets.

If you take too many tablets, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or doctor immediately. Take any remaining tablets and this leaflet with you so that the medical staff know exactly what you have taken. Your medicine is very dangerous if taken by young children and care should be taken to keep the medicine safely out of the reach of children.

Signs and symptoms of an iron overdose include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting of blood (haematemesis), and rectal bleeding.

Take your dose as soon as you remember. Then go on as before. If it is almost time for the next dose, then do not take the missed dose at all.

If you are having no problems with your tablets, do not stop taking them until your doctor tells you to.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

The active substance is ferrous fumarate. Each tablet contains 210mg ferrous fumarate (approximately 65-70 mg of elemental iron). Ferrous fumarate is an iron compound.

The other ingredients are maize starch, sodium lauryl sulfate, gelatin, liquid paraffin and purified water.

Ferrous Fumarate Tablets are light brown in colour. Ferrous Fumarate Tablets are usually available in containers with child proof lids containing 100 or 1000 tablets or supplied in blisters packs of 28, 56, 84 and 112 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.