What is Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
Ascorbic acid is found in citrus fruit, tomatoes, potatoes, and leafy vegetables. Ascorbic acid is important for the skin and connective tissues, for normal chemical and hormonal production, and for the immune system.
Iron polysaccharide is a form of the mineral iron. Iron is important for many functions in the body, especially for the transport of oxygen in the blood.
Ascorbic acid is used to treat and prevent vitamin C deficiency.
Iron polysaccharide is used as a dietary supplement, and to prevent and to treat iron deficiencies and iron deficiency anemia.
Ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
Do not take more ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide than is prescribed for you or than is directed on the package.
Keep this product out of reach of children. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
Ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
If you do not have an iron deficiency, talk to your doctor about the use of ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide. Generally, ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide should not be taken chronically by individuals with a normal iron balance.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide, tell your doctor if you have:
- diabetes
- hemosiderosis
- hemolytic anemia
- hemochromatosis
- kidney disease or an increased risk of kidney stones
- if you are on a sodium restricted diet; or
- if you are allergic to sulfites or tartrazine
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- fever
- severe lower back pain
- painful or difficult urination
- blood in your urine; or
- black or dark stools
Less serious side effects may include:
- stomach upset
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation; or
- temporary staining of the teeth
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide Interactions
What other drugs affect Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
Talk to your doctor before taking ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide if you are taking any of the following medicines
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- an estrogen such as Premarin, Ogen, Estratest, Vivelle, Climara, Estring, Estrace, and others; or
- an oral birth control pill such as Alesse, Levlen, Ovral, Triphasil, Tri-Levlen, Lo-Ovral, and others
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
Do not take ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide within 2 hours before or after you take any of the following medicines
- levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, Sinemet)
- levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, others)
- methyldopa (Aldomet)
- penicillamine (Cuprimine)
- antacids (Amphojel, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Rulox, Tums, and others)
- a tetracycline antibiotic such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap); or
- an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others
Ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide may decrease the absorption of the drugs listed above.
Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide Dosage
How should I take Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
Keep this product out of reach of children. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide.
Store ascorbic acid and iron polysaccharide at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose on Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose can cause decreased energy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tarry stools, weak or rapid pulse, fever, or seizure (convulsions).
What happens if I miss a dose of Ascorbic Acid Iron Polysaccharide?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com