SODIUM FEREDETATE 190 MG / 5ML ORAL SOLUTION - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. what sodium feredetate is and what it is used for

The name of your medicine is Sodium Feredetate 190 mg/5 ml Oral Solution (called Sodium Feredetate throughout this leaflet).

Sodium Feredetate is used to treat anaemia caused by too little iron in the body (iron deficiency anaemia). The form of iron used in this product means that it is less likely to cause stomach upsets than other iron-containing medicines, and will not discolour teeth.

It is to be taken by:

• – pregnant women when other forms of oral iron may not be well tolerated

• – children and adults who have become anaemic as a result of having rheumatoid arthritis.

2. what you need to know before you take sodium feredetate

Do NOT take Sodium Feredetate and tell your doctor if you:

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can affect the way Sodium Feredetate works.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following: – dimercaprol (for metal poisoning)

iron-containing medicines or tonics

chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones or tetracyclines (to treat infections) penicillamine (for rheumatoid arthritis)

methyldopa (for high blood pressure)

mycophenolate (to prevent organ transplant rejection)

levodopa, carbidopa or entacapone (for Parkinson’s di­sease) bisphosphonates (for osteoporosis)

thyroxine (for thyroid problems)

trientine (for Wilson’s Disease)

cholestyramine (for high cholesterol)

proton-pump-inhibitors e.g. omeprazole (for stomach ulcers)

bicarbonates, carbonates, calcium, magnesium, zinc and other mineral

supplements (indigestion and antacid remedies)

tea, coffee, eggs, milk, ascorbic acid (vitamin c) and citric acid, these may interfere with Sodium feredetate.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant, planning to have a baby or breast-feeding, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Sodium Feredetate is not expected to have an effect on your ability to drive

or operate machinery.

Sodium Feredetate contains:

methyl hydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl hydroxybenzoate (E216). These ingredients may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed) ponceau 4R (E124). This ingredient may cause allergic reactions sorbitol. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. Sorbitol may also cause mild laxative effects ethanol (alcohol). Sodium Feredetate contains small amounts of ethanol less than 100 mg per 5 ml

sodium. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dose, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. how to take sodium feredetate

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Method of administration

The oral solution is to be taken by mouth.

The recommended dose is:

Treatment of anaemia

- Adults (including elderly older than 65 years): o 1 or 2 × 5 ml spoonful 3 times a day.

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• - Children:

o 3 to 6 mg of elemental iron per 1 kg of body weight

o The maximum daily dose is 200 mg of elemental iron (36.3 ml of Sodium Feredetate), divided into 2 or 3 daily doses

o To be given by a healthcare professional only.

Prevention of anaemia

• - Babies of low birth-weight who are solely breast-fed:

o 5 mg of elemental iron (0.9 ml of Sodium Feredetate given in a 1 ml syringe) daily.

o Depending on the body weight, a higher dose (up to 2 mg per 1 kg of body weight) of elemental iron daily may be required for exclusively breast-fed babies.

o To be given by a healthcare professional only.

• - Babies (6 to 24 months):

o 1 × 2.5 ml spoonful daily.

• - Children (2 to 5 years):

o 1 × 5 ml spoonful daily.

• - Children (6 to 11 years):

o 1 – 2 × 5 ml spoonful daily.

• - Adolescents

o 2 × 5 ml spoonful daily.

*Elemental iron is iron your body can absorb.

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If you take more Sodium Feredetate than you should

If you accidentally take too much Sodium Feredetate or give too much to a child, tell your doctor or contact your hospital immediately. Take this leaflet, the container and any remaining oral solution with you.

An overdose may cause:

• – you to feel sick (nausea)

• – you to be sick (vomiting, which may contain blood)

• – stomach pains

• – diarrhoea

• – blood in your stools

• – tiredness

• – cold and sweaty skin

• – fast heart beat

• – high blood sugar

• – high blood acidity (metabolic acidosis).

If you forget to take Sodium Feredetate

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do NOT take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, Sodium Feredetate can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

You may feel sick (nausea) or have mild diarrhoea in the early stages of treatment. These effects should quickly disappear if you stop taking Sodium Feredetate for a short time.

When treatment is restarted, a lower dose of your medicine should be taken. If you are not sure what your dose should be, talk to your doctor.

If your doctor tells you to take Sodium Feredetate at doses higher than is stated in this leaflet, you may experience mild diarrhoea.

If you experience any of the following side effects, STOP taking Sodium Feredetate and see a doctor or go to a hospital IMMEDIATELY:

– allergic reactions – symptoms may include itchy skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

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5. HOW TO STORE SODIUM FEREDETATE

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Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the bottle label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.

Do not use Sodium Feredetate after the bottle has been opened for more than 3 months.

Store in the original package in order to protect from light.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

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6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION

What Sodium Feredetate contains

The active substance is sodium feredetate (also known as sodium iron edetate) 190 mg/5 ml.

The other ingredients are methyl hydroxybenzoate (E218), propyl hydroxybenzoate (E216), citric acid monohydrate, saccharin sodium, glycerol, sorbitol (E420), ethanol, ponceau 4R (E124), black cherry flavouring and water.

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What Sodium Feredetate looks like and contents of the pack

Sodium feredetate is a red coloured liquid. It is supplied in amber-coloured glass bottles with a child resistant cap containing 500ml of oral solution.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd,

Capital House,

85 King William Street,

London EC4N 7BL, UK

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• are allergic to sodium feredetate (also known as sodium iron edetate) or any of the ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 2 and 6)
• have a history of sensitivity to iron-containing preparations
• have a disorder in which there is excessive absorption and storage of (iron haemochromatosis or haemosiderosis)
• have repeated blood transfusions or have had them in the past

are currently having iron injections.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Sodium Feredetate:

– if you have haemolytic anaemia

if you have an iron storage or absorption disease

if you have gastrointestinal disease

if a child has been taking Sodium feredetate for a long time or at high doses as this can lead to toxic accumulation in the body

if you are having tests on your stools as iron preparations colour the faeces black and can interfere with test results

Other medicines and Sodium Feredetate

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

This includes any medicines you buy without a prescription, including iron-containing medicines or tonics. This is because Sodium Feredetate can affect the way in which some other medicines work. Also some medicines