If a child has iron deficiency anemia or is at high risk of developing it, iron supplements come to the rescue. One of them is Aktiferrin. From what age is it permissible to give it, what form of release to choose, in what dose to use and what side effects to expect?
Release form
Aktiferrin is available in the following forms:
- Drops. This form is most preferable for infants, but can be used at an older age. It is a clear solution that has a creamy raspberry aroma and a green or yellow-brown hue. One bottle, which has a dropper stopper, contains 30 ml of the drug.
- Syrup. This form is often chosen for children over 2 years old. The syrup is also presented as a clear liquid with a creamy raspberry smell, as well as a brownish-yellow or greenish color. One bottle contains 100 ml of syrup.
- Capsules. They are used to treat children 6 years of age and older. The capsules have a brown color, an oblong shape and a light beige oily content. This medicine is available in packs of 20 and 50 capsules.
Composition
- The main component in Aktiferrin is represented by ferrous sulfate, which is a source of ferrous iron. The second important ingredient is serine.
- Additional ingredients in drops and syrup are 96% alcohol, sugar syrup, water, flavorings, and ascorbic acid. Potassium sorbate is also present in the drops.
- Inside the capsules Aktiferrin contains oils, lecithin and wax, and the capsule itself is made of gelatin, sorbitol, glycerol and dyes.
Operating principle
Aktiferrin is one of the iron preparations prescribed for a lack of such an element. Entering the child's body, iron affects the formation of red blood cells and is involved in some oxidative and reduction reactions. In addition, it becomes a component of myo- and hemoglobin, as well as some enzymes.
The presence of serine in the composition of the drug helps the gland to absorb more actively and enter the blood faster. This amino acid allows you to reduce the dosage of iron, making the drug better tolerated. The medicine quickly replenishes the iron deficiency, as a result of which the clinical and laboratory signs of anemia gradually disappear.
Indications
The main reason why a child can be prescribed Aktiferrin is iron deficiency. It occurs when there is insufficient intake of iron from food, problems with its absorption, or with an increased consumption of iron. Sometimes such a drug is recommended for prophylactic purposes.
Can I give to children under one year old?
Instructions for the use of Aktiferrin include information that it is permissible to prescribe the drug in infancy. This medicine in drops is allowed even to newborns, children aged 1 month and older.
Contraindications
It is impossible to give a child Aktiferrin if he has:
- There is an intolerance to any component of the drug.
- Anemia is not caused by iron deficiency.
- Identified thalassemia.
- Diagnosed with impaired absorption of Fe due to lead or sideroachrestic anemia.
- The iron content in the body has increased, for example, due to hemolytic anemia or hemochromatosis.
- There are problems with the tolerance of galactose, lactose or fructose, as well as disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism.
In addition, the appointment of Aktiferrin requires increased attention of the doctor if the child has diabetes mellitus, allergic diseases, kidney or liver pathologies, bronchial asthma, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Side effects
In many children who are given Aktiferrin, the color of the feces becomes dark. At the same time, blackening of the stool does not indicate digestive problems.
Taking Aktiferrin can also be accompanied by:
- Loss of appetite.
- The appearance of an unpleasant bitter taste in the mouth.
- Constipation or, conversely, loose stools.
- Flatulence.
- Headaches.
- Dizziness.
- Redness of the skin.
Rare side symptoms triggered by taking Aktiferrin are abdominal pain, toothaches, allergic rash, nausea, irritability, sore throat, feeling of weakness, vomiting, itching, feeling of squeezing behind the breastbone. In isolated cases, anaphylactic reaction or encephalopathy is possible.
If the prescribed dosage of Aktiferrin is poorly tolerated by the child, it should be reduced to such a number of drops or syrup that will not worsen the state of health. In this case, the duration of treatment will be increased.
Instructions for use and dosage
Aktiferrin should be drunk before meals or during meals. To dilute drops or syrup, you need a small amount of water or fruit tea (so that the medicine does not leave dark plaque on the teeth). The capsules should be swallowed whole without being bitten, and then washed down with plenty of water. The duration of therapy with the use of Aktiferrin is determined by the doctor, but after the normalization of the tests, it is recommended to give the drug in a maintenance dosage to the child for another 2-3 months.
If the medicine is given in drops, then it is calculated by the weight of the child - for each kilogram you need 5 drops of Aktiferrin. This daily dose is divided into two or three doses. On average, a baby is given 10-15 drops of medicine three times a day, a preschooler - from 25 to 35 drops per appointment, and a schoolchild - about 50 drops.
The dosage of the syrup is also determined based on the child's body weight - for every 12 kg of weight, 5 ml of the drug is required. On average, a child 2-6 years old is given 5 ml twice a day, and a child over 6 years old is offered such a single serving of syrup three times a day.
Aktiferrin capsules are given to children who are six years old. This form of medication is prescribed one capsule per day, and in adolescence - a capsule 2-3 times a day.
Overdose
Excessive doses of any iron supplements pose a serious health hazard and even to the life of the child. If you accidentally give a crumbs a drug in an excessive dosage, this will lead to fatigue, pallor, weakness, as well as low blood pressure, abdominal pain, weakening of the pulse, fever and other symptoms. In severe cases, convulsions, coma, liver and kidney necrosis are possible.
A child with an overdose of Aktiferrin is washed with a stomach, given a raw egg or milk, after which they must call an ambulance. Specific treatment is deferoxamine, since this drug binds iron. In severe cases, it is possible to prescribe another antidote - unitiol.
Interaction with other drugs and food
- You should not drink Aktiferrin with drinks such as milk, coffee or black tea. They will impair the absorption of the active substance.
- Other dairy products, bread, eggs, or any solid food have the same effect. So that such food products do not affect the absorption of the medicine, a pause of 1-2 hours should be made between their use and taking Aktiferrin.
- With the additional intake of citric or ascorbic acid, the absorption of Fe from Aktiferrin will improve.
- Taking Aktiferrin reduces the effectiveness of tetracyclines, levodopa, ofloxacin, methyldopa, levothyroxine, ciprofloxacin and some other drugs.
- If the baby taking Aktiferrin is additionally prescribed calcium supplements, antacids or magnesium preparations, this will impair the absorption of iron.
- You should not give your child both Aktiferrin and zinc preparations. There should be an interval of 2 hours between such additives.
- With the simultaneous appointment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and Aktiferrin, the risk of damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract increases.
- Iron supplementation will reduce the effects of vitamin E supplementation, so there should be a 3-4 hour or more break between these supplements.
Terms of sale
You will need a prescription to buy the drug at the pharmacy. The average price of Aktiferrin drops is 300 rubles, syrup - about 270 rubles, and capsule packs - 150-300 rubles.
Storage conditions and shelf life
For storing Aktiferrin, you should choose a cool and dry place where the temperature will not rise above + 25 ° C. It is very important that small children do not have access to such a place.
The sealed package of the medicine can be stored for up to 2 years from the date of issue. If drops or syrup are opened, the contents should be used within a month.
Reviews
Mostly positive reviews can be heard about treatment with Aktiferrin. Parents who gave this iron preparation to babies note that the child's weakness quickly passes, fatigue disappears, the heart rate normalizes, the skin becomes less dry. Among the side effects of mothers, a negative reaction of the child's digestive tract is often noted. But, if the dosage is slightly reduced, in most children, such side effects of the drug disappear.
Analogs
If there is no opportunity to give the child Aktiferrin, the remedy can be replaced with some other iron preparation.
The most popular are the following analogs:
- Ferrum Lek is a source of ferric iron in the form of syrup (allowed from birth) or chewable tablets (prescribed from 12 years old).
- Hemofer - such drops containing iron chloride are given from birth, even to premature babies.
- Tardiferon - tablets with ferrous sulfate, prescribed from 6 years of age.
- Sorbifer Durules - in these tablets for children over 12 years old, ferrous sulfate is supplemented with ascorbic acid.
