Multigen Folic Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To get the most benefit from your medication, take it exactly as directed by your doctor. Carefully read all the information provided with your prescription, and follow the instructions closely. For optimal effectiveness, take this medication on an empty stomach. However, if it causes stomach upset, you may take it with food. Certain foods, such as eggs, whole grain bread, cereal, dairy products, coffee, and tea, may interfere with the medication's absorption. If you experience stomach upset, consult your doctor about the best way to take this medication with food.
It's essential to note that this medication can interact with other drugs, preventing them from being absorbed properly. If you're taking other medications, consult your doctor or pharmacist to determine if you should take them at a different time than this medication.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep it in a dry place, avoiding storage in a bathroom. Ensure that all medications are kept in a safe location, out of the reach of children and pets. Dispose of unused or expired medications properly. Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain unless instructed to do so. If you're unsure about the best way to dispose of your medication, consult your pharmacist. You may also want to check if there are drug take-back programs available in your area.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for the missed one.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take with food if stomach upset occurs, but be aware that some foods (dairy, tea, coffee, high-fiber foods) can reduce iron absorption. Separate by 2 hours if possible.
- Avoid taking with antacids, calcium supplements, or certain antibiotics (tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones) as they can interfere with iron absorption. Separate by at least 2-4 hours.
- Drink plenty of water to help prevent constipation, a common side effect of iron.
- Expect stools to turn dark or black; this is a normal and harmless effect of iron supplementation.
- Store in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children. Iron overdose is very dangerous for children.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, this medication can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Black, tarry, or bloody stools
Fever
Vomiting blood or coffee ground-like material
Stomach cramps
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms that bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor:
Constipation
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Upset stomach
Vomiting
* Change in stool color to green
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Vomiting (especially if bloody or coffee-ground like)
- Diarrhea (especially if bloody)
- Dizziness or fainting
- Rapid heart rate
- Bluish lips or fingernails
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have an iron overload in your body.
* If you have certain types of anemia, including pernicious anemia or hemolytic anemia.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins) and health conditions with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your other medications and health conditions.
Remember, do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
Additionally, be aware that this medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests. Therefore, it is crucial to notify all your healthcare providers and laboratory personnel that you are taking this drug.
If you are allergic to tartrazine, also known as FD&C Yellow No. 5, discuss this with your doctor, as some products may contain this ingredient.
Before taking this medication, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Your doctor will need to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby, allowing you to make an informed decision.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Initial symptoms (within 6 hours): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (may be bloody), abdominal pain, lethargy, pallor.
- Latent phase (6-24 hours): Apparent recovery, but toxicity is progressing.
- Systemic toxicity (12-48 hours): Metabolic acidosis, shock, liver damage, coagulopathy, cardiovascular collapse, coma, seizures.
- Delayed effects (weeks): Gastric scarring, stricture formation.
What to Do:
IMMEDIATELY call emergency services (911 in US) or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222). Do NOT induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention. Treatment may involve gastric lavage, whole bowel irrigation, and chelation therapy (e.g., deferoxamine) for severe iron overdose.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Iron with Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline): Decreased absorption of both.
- Iron with Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin): Decreased absorption of antibiotics.
- Iron with Levothyroxine: Decreased absorption of levothyroxine.
- Iron with Mycophenolate mofetil: Decreased absorption of mycophenolate.
- Folic Acid with Methotrexate: Folic acid can reduce the efficacy of methotrexate (a folate antagonist).
- Folic Acid with Anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone): Folic acid can decrease anticonvulsant levels, potentially increasing seizure risk. Anticonvulsants can also decrease folate levels.
Moderate Interactions
- Iron with Antacids (e.g., calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide): Decreased iron absorption.
- Iron with Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) / H2 Blockers: Reduced gastric acidity may impair iron absorption.
- Iron with Calcium supplements: Decreased iron absorption.
- Iron with Zinc supplements: Decreased absorption of both if taken together.
- Iron with Cholestyramine: Decreased iron absorption.
- Vitamin C with Deferoxamine: Increased iron toxicity (cardiac dysfunction) in patients with iron overload.
- Vitamin B12 with Metformin: Metformin can decrease B12 absorption.
- Vitamin B12 with Proton Pump Inhibitors / H2 Blockers: Can reduce B12 absorption.
Minor Interactions
- Iron with high-fiber foods, tea, coffee: Reduced iron absorption.
- Vitamin C with Warfarin: High doses of Vitamin C might theoretically alter warfarin effects (though clinical significance is often low).
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To assess for anemia (hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV) and other blood cell abnormalities.
Timing: Prior to initiation, especially if treating deficiency.
Rationale: To assess iron stores. Low ferritin indicates iron deficiency.
Timing: Prior to initiation, especially if treating deficiency.
Rationale: To further characterize iron status.
Timing: Prior to initiation, especially if treating deficiency.
Rationale: To confirm deficiency or rule out other causes of macrocytic anemia.
Timing: Prior to initiation, especially if treating deficiency.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Every 4-8 weeks initially, then every 3-6 months once stable, or as clinically indicated.
Target: Hemoglobin: Age and sex-specific normal ranges; MCV: 80-100 fL.
Action Threshold: Failure of hemoglobin to rise by 1-2 g/dL after 4 weeks of therapy, or persistent microcytosis/anemia.
Frequency: Every 3-6 months, or as clinically indicated, until iron stores are repleted.
Target: >30-50 ng/mL (to replete stores).
Action Threshold: Ferritin not increasing, or signs of iron overload (rare with supplementation doses).
Frequency: At each clinical visit.
Target: Improvement or resolution of symptoms.
Action Threshold: Persistent or worsening symptoms despite therapy.
Symptom Monitoring
- Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dark stools)
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Pallor
- Shortness of breath
- Pica (craving for non-food items)
- Glossitis (sore tongue)
- Neurological symptoms (numbness, tingling, gait instability - for B12 deficiency)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Often recommended and crucial during pregnancy. Folic acid supplementation is vital to prevent neural tube defects, and iron is frequently needed to prevent or treat iron deficiency anemia due to increased maternal blood volume and fetal demands. Vitamin B12 and C are also important for maternal and fetal health.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Generally safe and often recommended during lactation. Iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin C are transferred into breast milk in varying amounts, but typically not enough to cause harm to the infant. Supplementation helps meet maternal nutritional needs and supports infant development.
Pediatric Use
Iron overdose is a leading cause of poisoning fatalities in young children. This product should be stored safely out of reach. Dosing for children must be carefully determined by a healthcare professional based on age, weight, and specific deficiency. Not typically recommended for general pediatric use without medical supervision.
Geriatric Use
Older adults may have increased risk of nutritional deficiencies (e.g., B12 due to malabsorption, iron due to chronic conditions or poor diet). This combination can be beneficial. However, caution is advised due to potential for polypharmacy and drug interactions (e.g., with antacids, PPIs, levothyroxine). Monitor for GI side effects and iron overload if other iron sources are present.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Advise patients to take iron supplements with a glass of water or orange juice (due to Vitamin C) on an empty stomach for best absorption, but with food if GI upset occurs.
- Educate patients that dark or black stools are a normal side effect of iron and not a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms like blood in stool.
- Emphasize the critical importance of storing iron-containing products out of reach of children due to the high risk of fatal overdose.
- For patients with known B12 deficiency, ensure adequate intrinsic factor or consider parenteral B12 if absorption is compromised.
- Succinic acid's primary role here is likely to enhance iron absorption and provide general metabolic support, rather than a standalone therapeutic effect.
Alternative Therapies
- Dietary modifications to increase iron, folate, and B12 intake (e.g., red meat, leafy greens, fortified cereals)
- Intravenous iron for severe iron deficiency or malabsorption
- Parenteral vitamin B12 for severe deficiency or malabsorption
- Blood transfusion for severe, symptomatic anemia