Ferrum Lek tablets. Reviews, instructions for use, cheap analogues, price

Ferrum Lek tablets are intended to replenish lack of iron in the body children and adults. Since the active component - ferric iron - is in a bound, non-ionic form, as close as possible to natural, then there are no side effects and overdose, which ensures the high safety of this agent.

According to reviews, it is well tolerated by patients. Unpleasant sensations in the epigastric region are mild and quickly disappear. Despite its good tolerance, the drug also has disadvantages - in many cases it requires a long course of administration for several months.

Forms of release and composition of the drug

The drug is available in the form of uncoated chewable tablets, which must be completely chewed before swallowing, 30 or 50 units in flexible, contoured, cell-free packs, packed in cardboard boxes.

The tablets have a dark brown color, a flat surface with a beveled corner at the edges. Blotches of a lighter color may be visible on them, which do not represent a deviation from the quality requirements.

Ferrum Lek - tablets, reviews of which indicate their high efficiency. They contain as the main component ferric hydroxide in the form of a polymaltose complex (400 mg, in terms of pure iron - 100 mg). This form is close in structure to the natural compound of a trace element in the body - ferritin.

The polymaltose complex is a protein substance that serves as an iron depot inside cells in humans and animals. 1 ferritin molecule is capable of attaching 4 thous. iron atoms.

The combination of these two elements ensures the natural absorption of iron into the bloodstream, as well as a decrease in the likelihood of adverse allergic and toxic reactions. So, the lethal dose for ferrous sulfate is 230 mg per 1 kg of body weight, and for the polymaltose complex - almost 10 times more (2000 mg / kg).

Additionally, the preparation contains the following components:

• binder - macrogol 6000 (ethylene glycol polymer);
• sweeteners - aspartame and dextrates;
• flavoring (chocolate flavor);
• the component for creating the framework of the tablet is talc.

Appointment of drugs of this group in oral form is preferable, since parenteral administration often develops allergic and toxic reactions. Therefore, this method is prescribed mainly to those patients who have impaired absorption in the intestine or have an intolerance to drugs for oral administration.

Pharmacological properties

The pharmacological properties of the drug are as follows:

• replenishment of the lack of iron in the human body;
• stimulating the formation of red blood cells (erythrocytes);
• restoration of the level of iron-containing protein - hemoglobin.

Ultimately, the signs of iron deficiency anemia will decrease or disappear completely in patients taking this medicine.

Unlike products containing simple iron salts, this drug does not generate reactive oxygen species, that is, it is not a prooxidant.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Since the active substance forms a complex of polymaltose molecules with a rather significant molecular weight (50 kDa), then its entry into the body through the intestinal wall can occur only through active suction.

Due to its high stability, it does not emit iron ions in a free state, which makes it impossible to overdose and irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. Preparations with simple salts of a microelement do not have this advantage, their absorption occurs in the direction of the greatest change in the concentration of the substance in unlimited quantities.

Ferrum Lek -, tablets, reviews of which are positive both on the part of patients and on the part of doctors.

They have features of the kinetics of biological processes:

• The greatest degree of absorption of the active component occurs in the duodenum and jejunum. Unabsorbed iron is excreted through the intestines along with feces. Their darkening during treatment is not pathological.
• The iron that enters the bloodstream and is associated with ferritin accumulates mainly in the liver.
• The incorporation of iron into hemoglobin occurs in the bone marrow.
• A significant clinical effect appears from about the second week from the start of taking the drug. The daily growth rate of hemoglobin in the blood, according to medical research, in the first two weeks averages 1.4 g / l, starting from 3 weeks - 0.7 g / l.
• The effectiveness of iron preparations depends on the daily dosage of elemental iron. Revealed a negatively directed relationship between iron deficiency and its absorption (the higher the deficiency, the greater the absorption).

Indications for use

The indications for the use of the drug are the following conditions:

• Latent (latent) iron deficiency, which is the first stage of iron deficiency anemia. At the same time, its transport reserves and depot in the internal organs are depleted, and the blood counts are still within normal limits.
• Iron deficiency anemia is an extreme degree of iron deficiency. Violations are not limited only to the hematopoietic system, but also affect other organs. The normal functioning of cells and the physiological status of the body as a whole are disrupted. There may be several reasons for the development of this condition: heavy menstruation or abnormal uterine bleeding in women (associated with uterine fibroids, hyperplasia or polyps endometrium, endometriosis), intensive growth in children (especially in the first year of life and during puberty), massive blood loss after injuries, burns or operations, illness connective tissue, latent blood loss during inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, tumors, pregnancy and breastfeeding, diseases of the digestive system, in which the absorption process is disturbed, as well as intestinal dysbiosis, malnutrition (vegetarian diet or starvation), congenital iron deficiency, endocrine diseases, liver pathology. In the elderly, anemia often develops against the background of infectious and inflammatory pathologies, tumors (cancer, lymphoma, lymphosarcoma), with dilated veins of the esophagus or stomach, and hemorrhoids. On average, physiological iron losses are about 1 mg per day or more, therefore, daily replenishment of this trace element is important.
• Prevention of iron deficiency during pregnancy and lactation, when the loss of this element reaches 1800 mg daily. This disorder is one of the most common in obstetric practice and leads to complications from both the mother and the child. Since in many cases, anemia in pregnant women is associated with a deterioration in the production of a hormone in the kidneys, which controls the formation of red blood cells, long-term administration of the drug is required.

In case of severe damage to the gastrointestinal tract, the effectiveness of the tablet form decreases, however, in this case, treatment begins with such drugs to reduce the risk of complications.

With anemia, the following subjective symptoms may occur:

• general weakness;
• dizziness;
• nausea;
• increased fatigue;
• "Flies" before the eyes;
• palpitations;
• shortness of breath with increasing physical activity.

Contraindications

Ferrum Lek - tablets that, despite good reviews, have contraindications.

This medicinal product should not be used in the following cases:

• Individual sensitivity to drug components.
• An excess of iron in the body, which can have as serious consequences as its lack. This condition occurs when drinking water saturated with iron, uncontrolled intake of drugs, oral contraceptives, hemochromatosis (genetic pathology associated with impaired metabolism of this microelement), cirrhosis of the liver and some infectious diseases (typhus, brucellosis, malaria).
• Iron overload due to a violation of its utilization - with thalassemia and sideroblastic anemias. In the latter case, a decrease in the production of hemoglobin is observed with a sufficient or increased level of iron. This violation can occur with the use of certain drugs (antibiotics Chloramphenicol, Cycloserine, anti-tuberculosis drugs Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide), in case of poisoning with ethanol, lead, shortage vitamin B6.
• Anemia, which is not associated with a lack of iron: hemolytic anemias, when the destruction of red blood cells occurs faster than their production in the bone marrow; violation of the absorption of vitamins B9 and B12, leading to the development of megaloblastic anemia.

At what age can tablets be used?

Since the use of iron-containing drugs in a lower dosage is indicated in childhood, chewable tablets are usually not prescribed for children under 12 years of age. In this case, a syrup with a similar composition is used.

Iron deficiency in children is a common disorder that occurs for several reasons:

• during intrauterine development: impaired uteroplacental circulation, placental bleeding, placental insufficiency, multiple pregnancy, premature birth, anemia in a pregnant woman;
• at birth: decreased outflow of blood from the placenta to the fetus (compression of the umbilical cord associated with narrowing of the venous vessels), too early or late cord ligation, traumatic obstetric benefits;
• after birth: fast growth rate, malnutrition, impaired absorption of iron in the intestine and its chronic diseases, bleeding, hormonal changes in adolescence.

This condition can lead to serious consequences:

• delayed development of the central nervous system;
• memory impairment;
• decreased learning ability and concentration;
• delayed speech development and growth;
• decreased physical activity.

Therefore, it is important to start treatment in a timely manner, before the onset of severe iron deficiency anemia. Studies show that in children with congenital deficiency of deposited iron, the use of this drug helps to replenish the lack of a trace element without further development relapse.

The main criterion for anemia is a decrease in hemoglobin <110 g / L for children under 6 years of age and <120 g / L for older children.

From the point of view of safety, ferric iron preparations are the best choice for pediatric patients, however, their disadvantage is the need to carry out in many cases a long course of treatment for several months.

Instructions for use, dosage

When treating, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

• take pills during or immediately after meals to reduce the risk of negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
• it is allowed to swallow the tablets whole without chewing.
• the daily dose can be divided into several parts;
• for women during menstruation, it is necessary to increase the dose, since iron losses increase during this period.

  

Dosage instructions are given in the table below:

Patient group	Number of tablets per day, pcs.	Duration of treatment, months
Hidden micronutrient deficiency
Children over 12 years old	1	1-2
Adults
Breastfeeding mothers
Pregnant
Anemia
Children over 12 years old	1-3	3-5 (plus a few more weeks to consolidate the effect)
Adults
Breastfeeding mothers
Pregnant	2-3	Until the concentration of hemoglobin is normalized
1	Until the end of pregnancy
Reception for preventive purposes
Pregnant	1	Until the end of pregnancy

Side effects

Ferrum Lek - tablets, reviews of which speak of their good tolerance.

They can cause the following undesirable effects:

• stool disorders (delay or vice versa, diarrhea);
• nausea;
• a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.

Dark staining of the stool associated with the elimination of unabsorbed iron is not a violation and does not require correction.

Overdose

Iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract occurs through active diffusion. In medical practice, there have been no cases of overdose accompanied by symptoms of poisoning, since an excess amount of a trace element is excreted from the body naturally, without penetrating through the walls intestines.

special instructions

When treating with this drug, it is necessary to take into account some features:

• When taking the drug during pregnancy, toxic, teratogenic, fetotoxic effects on the embryo and fetus were not observed, the drug is safe for use during this period.
• Patients with diabetes mellitus should take into account that 1 tablet contains 0.04 bread units. This amount is insignificant, since an increase in glucose levels by 2 mmol / l occurs when 1 unit of bread is consumed (equivalent to half a 1 cm thick piece of bread).
• If iron deficiency anemia occurs against the background of an infection or malignant tumor, then the iron initially accumulates in the system of mononuclear phagocytes, the main function of which is the absorption of foreign particles, bacteria and viruses. The cells of this system take part in the development of the immune response. The mobilization of accumulated iron and its distribution begins only after the root cause of the disease has been eliminated.
• Ferrum Lek - tablets, reviews of which indicate that patients' stools often turn dark. But they do not change the results of the study of feces for occult blood (invisible to the naked eye). This test is done to detect hidden gastric hemorrhages (ulcers, polyps, and tumors).
• Taking the medicine does not affect concentration and attention, so it has no contraindications for people who operate dangerous machinery, including cars.

Drug interactions

In pharmacology, no facts of interaction of this drug with other drugs have been identified.

Analogs

Oral iron preparations can be divided into 2 large groups (the average price is indicated in brackets, rubles):

• Products containing salts of 2-valent iron:

1. ferrous sulfate - Aktiferrin (270 rubles), Hemofer prolongatum (40 rubles), Sorbifer durules (500 rubles), Tardiferon (250 rubles), Ferroplex (90 rubles), Ferrogradumet (40 rubles);
2. iron gluconate - Totem (oral solution, 450 rubles);
3. ferrous fumarate - Ferretab (100 rubles); Ferronate (65 rubles), Ferrous fumarate 200 (63 rubles).

• Preparations based on ferric iron - Maltofer (drops - 260 rubles, tablets - 720 rubles), Maltofer foul (600 rubles), Ferrum lek.

Terms, conditions of sale and storage

The terms of sale and storage are characterized by the following features:

• the drug belongs to the prescription category;
• keep away from children;
• optimal storage temperature - no more than + 25 ° С;
• shelf life - 5 years.

Price in pharmacies in Moscow, St. Petersburg, regions

The average price for this drug is 310 rubles. per pack containing 30 tablets.

A feature of Ferrum Lek tablets is that their effectiveness is manifested at a later date, therefore, a long course of treatment is required. On the other hand, as shown by therapeutic practice (including in the field of pediatrics), this drug has a pronounced clinical effect.

According to medical professionals, the drug is well tolerated. After the normalization of the hemogram, it is recommended to continue taking the medication for another 2-3 months. Dispensary observation is also required for 1 year.

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Overview of the drug Ferrum Lek: