Tardyferon – composition, action, dosage and side effects

Proven content

Tardyferon is a preparation used to supplement iron deficiency. This drug is recommended in cases of anemia or the body’s need for iron. Tardyferon is available in pharmacies only on prescription. What are the contraindications to the use of this drug? How to properly dose it? Can the use of Tardyferon cause side effects?

Tardyferon – drug characteristics

Tardyferon is a drug containing the active ingredient Ferrosi sulfas, i.e. iron sulfate. This drug is used to treat iron deficiency anemia and to prevent iron deficiency in pregnant women. This preparation is available in stationary pharmacies only on prescription.

Tardyferon is a prolonged-release tablet. The package contains 30 tablets. The special design of the preparation tablet ensures a slow release of iron ions from it, which prevents the occurrence of side effects.

The company responsible for the production of Tardyferon is Pierre Fabre Medicament Production. It is a French multinational pharmaceutical and cosmetics company. The company is headquartered in the city of Castres, France. The company was founded in 1962 by Pierre Fabre. Currently, the company’s drugs are available in over 130 countries. The company’s activities are focused on the research, development, production and marketing of cosmetics, prescription drugs and family health products.

Various pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the distribution of Tardyferon in Poland, including:

1. Delfarma Sp. z o. o. – Delfarma is a leader in parallel import. This company supplies the Polish market with cheaper drugs and thus significantly contributes to the reduction of health care costs. The Delfarma company was established in 2004 and offers over 500 drugs. The company’s head office is located in Łódź;
2. InPharm Sp. z o. o. – InPharm is a company that has been dealing with parallel import and distribution of medicinal products, medical devices and cosmetics since 2006. The company has an extensive network of suppliers throughout the European Union. The company’s headquarters is located in Warsaw;
3. Forfarm Sp. z o. o. – direct parallel importer. The company has over 400 licenses for pharmaceutical products. The company Forfarm Sp. z o. o. started its commercial activity in 2006. It is primarily a pharmaceutical wholesaler with an established position on the pharmaceutical market. The main activity of the company is trade in medicinal products under the parallel import procedure and export to licensed entities in the European Union countries. The company’s headquarters is located in Warsaw;
4. PharmaVitae Sp. z o. o. sp. k. – PharmaVitae is a company dealing with parallel import on the Polish pharmaceutical market. Since 2011, the company has been building a leading position, cooperating with business partners from the European Union, as well as expanding the portfolio of imported medicinal products, private labels and logistics services. The company’s headquarters is located in Warsaw;
5. Pharmapoint SA – is a specialized company supplying pharmaceutical wholesalers and pharmacies in Poland. The company was founded in 2010 and its headquarters is in Łódź;
6. Medezin Sp. z o. o. – Medezin is a company that offers a wide range of services in the area of ​​distribution, storage, manufacturing in the field of repackaging, import, labeling for clinical trials, transport, marketing and sales for manufacturers and a selection of medicinal products for wholesalers and pharmacies.

What are the properties of iron and when should you supplement it? Check: Iron – properties, sources, symptoms of iron excess and deficiency [EXPLAINED]

Tardyferon – composition and action of the drug

The main ingredient and active ingredient of Tardyferon is iron, and more specifically iron II sulphate.

Iron is one of the basic components of hemoglobin, myoglobin and the enzymes associated with the respiratory chain. Part of this element in the body is used by cells of the erythroblastic system to produce hemoglobin, while the remainder accumulates as ferritin and hemosiderin in tissues, mainly in the liver and spleen.

The iron in Tardyferon is absorbed mainly in the duodenum and upper small intestine. Absorption of iron is inversely proportional to the dose administered, which means that the more you take, the less iron will be absorbed. In addition, the absorption of the drug is influenced by the degree of iron deficiency – the greater the deficiency of this element in a patient, the better it will be absorbed. Iron, which is not absorbed, is excreted in the faeces.

Iron deficiency comes across in states of increased demand or in the case of chronic latent blood loss. The need for iron is also increased in women during pregnancy and puerperium, in nursing mothers and in adolescents during the period of growth.

It is worth remembering that during the day, about 1 mg of iron is excreted in the bile and urine by exfoliation of the epithelial cells of the digestive tract and skin, as well as with sweat, bile and urine. In the case of women, iron loss during menstruation should also be taken into account. The normal serum iron concentration is 50–150 µg / ml.

Tardyferon also contains excipients that are the core and the coating of the tablet. The core components are maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, ammonium methacrylate copolymer dispersion type B (Eudragit RS 30D), ammonium methacrylate copolymer dispersion type A (Eudragit RL 30D), glycerol dibehenate, triethyl citrate and talc. The shell contains Sepifilm LP010 (hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid), yellow iron oxide, red iron oxide, triethyl citrate and titanium dioxide.

What are the causes of iron deficiency and how do you recognize this condition? Read on: Iron deficiency – causes, symptoms, effects and prevention

Tardyferon – indications for use

Tardyferon is used to replenish the lack of iron in the body. The indications for the use of Tardyferon are:

1. the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia, including iron deficiency states associated with blood loss after injuries, chronic bleeding, surgery, dialysis, in women with heavy menstrual bleeding;
2. states of increased demand of the body for iron, e.g. during intensive growth, during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
3. iron absorption disorders – condition after gastric resection, malabsorption syndrome, persistent diarrhea;
4. a diet containing insufficient amounts of iron.

What are the causes of excess iron in the body and how do you recognize this condition? Read: Too much iron

Tardyferon – contraindications to use

The drug Tardyferon, despite its effectiveness in the treatment of anemia or disorders related to the deficiency or increased demand of iron, cannot be used by every patient struggling with this type of ailments.

Contraindications to the use of Tardyferon are:

1. allergy to the active substance or another component of the preparation;
2. hemochromatoza;
3. thalassemia;
4. refractory anemia;
5. bone marrow failure.

What is hemochromatosis and how is it diagnosed? Check: How is hemochromatosis diagnosed?

Tardyferon – precautions

Before and during the use of Tardyferon, follow the precautions included in the package leaflet.

Precautions to keep in mind include:

1. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Tardyferon;
2. the toxic dose of iron is lower for children than for adults. Tardyferon is not recommended for children under 10 years of age;
3. iron deficiency supplementation should, if possible, be combined with treatment of the cause of this deficiency;
4. Patients, especially elderly people who have difficulty swallowing, may also be at risk of ulceration in the throat, esophagus or bronchus if a tablet enters the respiratory tract. In the event of improper ingestion of the drug, immediately contact a doctor or the nearest emergency department for proper treatment;
5. in the medical literature, in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease, diabetes or hypertension treated with several drugs against these diseases and receiving iron supplementation due to accompanying anemia, melanosis of the digestive system, i.e. discoloration in the digestive system, has been described;
6. due to the risk of mouth ulceration and tooth discoloration, the tablets should not be sucked, chewed or held in the mouth, but swallowed whole with water;
7. the medicine should not be used after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month;
8. this medicine should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. It’s best to ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use.

What should you know about proper drug storage? Check: Medications that are stored wrongly are poisonous

Tardyferon – dosage and method of application

Always use Tardyferon exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Correct dose of Tardyferon to treat iron deficiency anemia is 1-2 tablets a day The treatment duration should be long enough to correct the anemia and to replenish your iron stores. Treatment may last for at least 3 to 6 months and may be extended if necessary in consultation with your doctor.

Correct dose of Tardyferon for prophylactic treatment it depends on the patient’s situation. In case of latent iron deficiency, one tablet is taken daily or every other day. Pregnant women should take 1 tablet every other day during the last two trimesters of pregnancy or from the 1th month of pregnancy.

Tardyferon tablets are administered orally. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. It should not be sucked, chewed or held in the mouth, so as not to discolor the teeth. The tablets should be taken with a large glass of water, preferably before or during a meal, depending on gastrointestinal tolerance.

What should you know about iron tablets? Check: Iron in tablets – application, deficiency symptoms

Tardyferon – misuse of the drug

Taking more than the recommended dose of the drug or missing the indicated dose during the day is considered inappropriate use of Tardyferon.

There have been reports of overdose with iron salts, especially in children, following the ingestion of large amounts of the drug.

Symptoms of overdose with Tardyferon it’s the most common

1. gastrointestinal irritation with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
2. symptoms of cardiovascular shock;
3. symptoms of metabolic acidosis;
4. liver and kidney failure. 

If you forget to take your tablet at the usual time, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next tablet as usual. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

How to take medication correctly? Check: How to take medications effectively?

Tardyferon – side effects

The use of Tardyferon, as with any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Common side effects of Tardyferon (affects 1 to 10 patients in 100):

1. constipation;
2. diarrhea;
3. feeling of stomach overflow;
4. abdominal pain;
5. dark stools;
6. nausea.

Uncommon side effects of Tardyferon (affects 1 to 10 patients in 1000):

1. swelling of the throat (laryngeal edema);
2. alternating diarrhea and constipation;
3. indigestion;
4. vomiting;
5. gastritis;
6. itching;
7. erythematous rash.

The frequency of side effects with Tardyferon is not known (cannot be estimated from the available data):

1. tooth discoloration;
2. gingivitis (mouth ulcers);
3. allergic reactions including rash, hives, erythema, difficulty breathing, malaise, transient rash with a burning sensation.

In elderly patients and patients with swallowing disorders, there may be a risk of esophageal erosions or bronchial necrosis in the event of choking or aspiration if used incorrectly.

What does a low hemoglobin result mean? Check: Low hemoglobin

Tardyferon – interactions with other drugs

Before starting Augmentin treatment, please inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking or have recently taken. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

First of all, remember to avoid the use of Tardyferon if you are taking medicines containing injectable iron.

Also, do not take Tardyferon within 2 hours of taking a dose of any of the following medicines:

1. bisphosphonates – used to treat osteoporosis;
2. oral tetracycline antibiotics;
3. fluoroquinolone antibiotics – e.g. ciprofloxacin;
4. penicillamine;
5. thyroid hormones – used to treat thyroid disease;
6. methyldopa – a drug used to treat high blood pressure;
7. levodopa, carbidopa – used to treat Parkinson’s disease;
8. calcium and zinc;
9. antacids containing calcium, aluminum or magnesium trisilicate – usually used in patients with acidity;
10. cholestyramine;
11. this drug should be administered 1-2 hours before or 4 hours after the intake of iron;
12. NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Tardyferon, pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Tardyferon.

This drug can be used during pregnancy and is even indicated for iron deficiencies.

Tardyferon – the price of the preparation

The price of the drug Tardyferon may differ depending on the city in which the preparation will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient.

For a package of Tardyferon containing 30 tablets, you have to pay about 18-20 zlotys.

How much money does the average Pole spend on treatment? Check: The Pole is not expected to see a doctor