ASCOFER®
Desbergers
Ferrous Ascorbate
Hematinic
Indications And Clinical Uses: Ferrous ascorbate, a synthetic molecule of ascorbic acid and iron, is indicated in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
Contra-Indications: Hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis, hemolytic anemia.
Precautions: Oral iron preparations may aggravate existing peptic ulcer, regional enteritis and ulcerative colitis.
Iron compounds taken orally can impair the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics. Antacids given concomitantly with iron compounds decrease iron absorption.
Adverse Reactions: The treatment of a neurotic patient was interrupted because of nausea and regurgitation. In pregnant women, the incidence of pyrosis and chronic constipation is slightly increased. In children, a clinical investigator reported 3 cases of slight diarrhea which disappeared within a few days. In 1 case, slightly curdled stools were observed, although this could not be definitely attributed to the product. In the final case studies, clay colored stools were noted.
Symptoms And Treatment Of Overdose: Iron poisoning is rare in adults but serious acute poisoning in children can result from ingestion of doses in excess of 1 g. Doses of 1 g should be considered as toxic in children and therapy instituted as soon as possible. Serum iron levels above 500 µg/100 mL can be taken as presumptive evidence of poisoning; severe poisoning is usually associated with levels well above 1 000 µg/100 mL.Symptoms: May occur within 30 minutes or may be delayed several hours. They are largely those of gastrointestinal irritation and necrosis with vomiting, diarrhea, tarry stools, hematemesis, fast and weak pulse, lethargy, low blood pressure, coma and signs of peripheral circulatory collapse. There may be a transient period of apparent recovery after 4 to 6 hours followed by a second crisis characterized by cyanosis, pulmonary edema, circulatory collapse, convulsion, and coma may then occur followed by death in 12 to 48 hours.
Treatment: Milk should be given immediately and vomiting induced. Eggs and milk should be fed (to form iron-protein complexes) until it is possible to perform gastric lavage with 1% sodium bicarbonate solution (to convert the iron to a less soluble form). Gastric lavage should not be performed after the first hour of iron ingestion because of the danger of perforation due to gastric necrosis. If an iron-chelating agent such as deferoxamine mesylate is available, it should be utilized. BAL (dimercaprol) should not be used because it may form a toxic complex. Measures to combat shock, dehydration, blood loss and respiratory failure may be necessary.
Dosage And Administration: Adults and children over 12: 275 mg twice daily with meals for treatment of mild iron deficiency anemia; 275 mg 4 times daily for severe anemia.
Infants and young children: 275 mg daily, divided into 3 equal doses for treatment of mild iron deficiency; 550 mg divided into 3 equal doses for severe anemia. Open the capsule and empty its contents into a small quantity of liquid (fruit juice, milk), or semiliquid food such as pureed baby foods.
Availability And Storage: Each No. 2, black capsule with red cap printed with the Desbergers logo contains: hydrated ferrous ascorbate 275 mg equivalent to 33 mg of elemental iron. Energy: 36.96 kJ (8.8 kcal). Bottles of 100.
ASCOFER® Desbergers Ferrous Ascorbate Hematinic
Posted by RxMed