Iron + Folic Acid Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Iron + Folic Acid Tablet combines iron, a mineral needed to make hemoglobin, with folic acid, a form of vitamin B9. It is used to prevent and treat low iron and low folate levels in the body. It also supports healthy pregnancy, helps manage high homocysteine levels, and can reduce nausea and vomiting caused by methotrexate.

What is Iron + Folic Acid Tablet

This medicine combines iron, a mineral needed to make hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen), with folic acid, a form of vitamin B9. It is used to prevent and treat low iron and low folate levels in the body.

Iron + Folic Acid Tablet uses

• Preventing and treating low blood levels of folate (folate deficiency)
• Treating high blood levels of homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia)
• Preventing serious birth defects such as spina bifida during pregnancy
• Preventing and treating low iron levels, including iron deficiency anemia
• Reducing nausea and vomiting caused by the drug methotrexate

Benefits of Iron + Folic Acid Tablet

• Folate plays an important role in forming red blood cells and maintaining brain health
• Folate supports a healthy pregnancy and lowers the risk of birth defects of the brain and spine
• Iron helps make hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to body tissues
• Iron supports muscle metabolism and healthy connective tissues

How Iron + Folic Acid Tablet works

Folic acid helps form red blood cells and supports brain health, while iron is needed to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Iron + Folic Acid Tablet dosage

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on your prescription label and take your doses at regular intervals. Do not stop taking your medication unless your care team tells you to.

Taking iron on an empty stomach is preferred since it is absorbed better this way; try to take it within two hours of finishing a meal, but if you have stomach problems, consider taking it with food. Try to take folic acid at the same time every day so you can get on a schedule.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can; if it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose and do not take double or extra doses.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Iron + Folic Acid Tablet

Common

• Change in taste
• Gas
• General discomfort and fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Cramping
• Backache
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Metallic taste
• Vomiting

Serious

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Breathing problems
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet

Warnings and precautions

• Tell your care team before starting this medicine if you have pernicious anemia, low levels of vitamin B12, or an allergic reaction to folic acid, other B vitamins, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives.
• Taking folic acid supplements might hide signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency, which if left untreated could cause permanent nerve damage.
• People with a seizure disorder should be cautious, as folic acid supplements, especially in high doses, might make seizures worse.
• People with a history of cancer should avoid high doses of folic acid, since early research suggests high doses might increase cancer risk.
• This medicine should not be used by people recovering from a procedure to widen narrowed arteries (angioplasty), as it might worsen the condition.
• This medicine is only for the person it was prescribed to; do not share it with others.
• Pregnancy: Folic acid is recommended during pregnancy to prevent certain birth defects, but you should not take more than the recommended amount unless directed by a healthcare professional. Tell your care team if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: Tell your care team if you are breastfeeding before taking this medication.
• Kidney: Take only the recommended dose; excessive iron intake can be harmful.
• Liver: Inform your doctor if you have iron overload disorders or stomach problems.
• Alcohol: Tell your health care provider if you drink alcohol, as some items may interact with your medicine.
• Driving: Dark stools may occur during iron supplementation and are usually harmless.

Storage

• Keep out of the reach of children
• Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F)
• Protect from light
• This medication is quickly broken down and made inactive when exposed to heat or light
• Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date

When to see a doctor

Get medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing. Get medical help right away if you notice pain, tingling, or numbness in your hands or feet. If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away.

Alternatives

• Ferrous Sulfate
• Ferrous Fumarate
• Ferrous Gluconate
• Multivitamin with Iron