Clinical medicine profile
Folic acid
Vitamin C [EPC], Nicotinic Acid [EPC]
- Route
- ORAL / IM / IV (selected)
- Schedule
- OTC
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- CONTRAINDICATIONS: Integra FTM is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients
- also, all iron compounds are contraindicated in patients with hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis, or hemolytic anemias.
- Pernicious anemia is a contraindication, as folic acid may obscure its signs and symptoms.
Precautions
- WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6.
- Keep this product out of reach of children.
- In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
- WARNING: Folic acid alone is improper therapy in the treatment for pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias where Vitamin B12 is deficient.
- PRECAUTIONS: General: Anemia is a manifestation that requires appropriate investigation to determine its cause or causes.
- No single regimen fits all cases and the status of the patient observed in follow-up is the final criterion for adequacy of therapy.
- Periodic clinical and laboratory studies are considered essential.
- Blood examinations including hemoglobin and hematacrit should be done at the usual intervals to make certain that therapy is adequate.
- Use with care in the presence of peptic ulcer, regional enteritis, and ulcerative colitis.
- Folic acid, especially in doses above 0.1 mg -0.4 mg daily may obscure pernicious anemia, in that hematological remission can occur while neurological manifestations remain progressive.
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: Adults (persons over 12 years of age), One (1) capsule daily, between meals, or as prescribed by a physician. Do not exceed recommended dosage. Do not administer to children under the age of 12.
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of this product have not been established in pediatric patients.
None usually.
- CrCl 0–120: Standard preventive/treatment doses.
None usually.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- INDICATIONS: Integra FTM is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, and folate deficiency anemia.
- Integra FTM is indicated in pregnancy for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency and to supply a maintenance dosage of folic acid.
Adverse effects
- Adverse Reactions: Folic Acid: Allergic sensitizations have been reported following both oral and parenteral administration of folic acid.
- Ferrous Fumarate: Gastrointestinal disturbances (anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn and vomiting) occur occasionally, but are usually mild and may subside with continuation of therapy.
- Reducing the dose and administering it with meals will minimize these effects in the sensitive patient.
- Increasing fiber in the diet can relieve constipation.
- Iron may turn stools black.
- This is a harmless effect that is a result of unabsorbed iron.
- Although the absorption of iron is best when taken between meals, giving Integra FTM after meals may control occasional G.I. disturbances.
- Integra FTM is best absorbed when taken at bedtime.
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- Prefer food-first then targeted replacement.
- Document laboratory indication for high-dose therapy.
- Public health: vitamin A, iron, folate programmes per MoH guidance.
Mechanism & disposition
It acts on megaloblastic bone marrow to produce a normoblastic marrow.
Read complete mechanism
It acts on megaloblastic bone marrow to produce a normoblastic marrow. Vitamins and minerals act as cofactors, antioxidants, structural elements or hormone precursors (e.g. vitamin D endocrine axis). Pharmacological high-dose effects differ from nutritional repletion.
Haematologic response days–weeks
While deficient / prevention ongoing
ORAL / IM / IV (selected)
of the ferrous iron by the bloodstream. However, the iron available from PIC is absorbed in the lower gut, via an active protein transport mechanism".
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
USAGE IN PREGNANCY: Before Integra FTM is prescribed for megaloblastic anemia in pregnancy, appropriate diagnostic exclusion of Addisonian pernicious anemia, (due to faulty or blocked absorption of vitamin B12, or extrinsic factor or either a genetic, immunological or surgical basis) should be carried out.
Maternal repletion often appropriate; avoid megadoses.
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOLISURE | Not recorded | 5MG 100*S | KES 35.48Daima Chemist price-list reference ↗ Source date not recorded · verify current price |
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.