Ascofolate Tablet

Iron and folic acid supplement for:

• Prevention and treatment of iron and folate deficiency anaemia
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding (increased needs; prevention of neural tube defects with folic acid)
• After blood loss, heavy periods, poor diet

Adults/pregnancy: 1 capsule/tablet daily (commonly ferrous fumarate 200–305 mg ≈ 65–100 mg elemental iron + folic acid 0.2–0.5 mg), or as prescribed; for treatment, up to 2 daily.

• Best absorbed on an empty stomach (1 hour before meals) with water or orange juice; take with or after food if it upsets the stomach.
• Continue for about 3 months after haemoglobin returns to normal (to refill iron stores).
• Not for children unless prescribed (use paediatric products).

• Anaemia not caused by iron deficiency (e.g. thalassaemia without iron deficiency, haemolytic anaemia)
• Iron overload (haemochromatosis, haemosiderosis), repeated blood transfusions
• Untreated vitamin B12 deficiency (folic acid can mask it)
• Allergy to any ingredient

Common: black or dark green stools (harmless), nausea, stomach discomfort, constipation or diarrhoea, metallic taste.

Rare: allergic reactions; with liquid preparations, tooth staining.

• Keep out of reach of children — iron overdose can be fatal in children.
• Peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease: caution.
• Unexplained anaemia (especially men and post-menopausal women) should be investigated for blood loss.

Recommended in pregnancy and breastfeeding for prevention/treatment of anaemia.

Take 2–4 hours apart from: tetracyclines, doxycycline, quinolones (ciprofloxacin), levothyroxine, bisphosphonates, penicillamine, methyldopa, levodopa, entacapone.

• Antacids, calcium, PPIs, tea, coffee, milk, eggs, whole grains reduce iron absorption
• Vitamin C increases absorption
• Folic acid may lower phenytoin levels; methotrexate and trimethoprim antagonise folate

Iron poisoning (especially in children) is an emergency: vomiting, diarrhoea (possibly bloody), abdominal pain, drowsiness, then apparent improvement followed by shock, liver failure. Go to hospital immediately.

Store below 30°C, dry, in a child-resistant container out of children's reach.