Polysaccharide-Iron Complex and Folic Acid

(pol i SAK a ride-EYE ern KOM pleks & FOE lik AS id)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Store away from children. Poisonings with iron happen most often in children. First signs of overdose include feeling tired, upset stomach, throwing up, belly pain, dark tarry-black stool, and a weak or fast heartbeat.
• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. They can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to polysaccharide-iron complex, folic acid, or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has any of these health problems: Anemia from a cause other than low iron stores, too much iron in your child's body, or thalassemia.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat anemia.

How does this drug work?

• Iron plays a major role in taking oxygen and moving it to where it is needed in the body. Iron is taken into the red blood cells and made into hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries the oxygen around in the body.
• Low iron stores may be caused by a diet lacking in iron, little iron getting in from the small bowel, or blood loss.
• Folic acid is a diet aid that helps the body make healthy red blood cells.

How is this drug given?

• Give this drug with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug.
• Have your child follow the diet plan your child's doctor told you about.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take a few months to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop this drug. Talk with the doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Do not give calcium, zinc, copper, or multivitamins that have any of these minerals within 2 hours of this drug.
• Do not give antacids within 2 hours of this drug.
• Do not give tetracycline within 4 hours of this drug.
• Give antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin 2 hours before this drug.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Belly pain.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Hard stools (constipation). Drinking more liquids, working out, or adding fiber to your diet may help. Talk with your doctor about a stool softener or laxative.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Black stools.

What do I need to watch for when my child is using this drug?

• Change in the health problem being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• For unwanted side effects of this drug.
• Follow up with the doctor.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very hard stools (constipation).
• If your child has very loose stools (diarrhea).
• If your child drinks too much of the liquid. Poisonings with iron happen most often in children. First signs of overdose include feeling tired, upset stomach, throwing up, belly pain, dark tarry-black stool, and a weak or fast heartbeat.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Throw away any part not used after 1 month.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug without a drug order.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.