Hematogen FA Capsules

Generic name: ferrous fumarate, ascorbic acid, folic acid and cyanocobalamin
Dosage form: capsule
Drug classes:Iron products, Vitamin and mineral combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 1, 2021.

Disclaimer: This drug has not been found by FDA to be safe and effective, and this labeling has not been approved by FDA. Read further information about unapproved drugs.

Hematogen FA Capsules Description

CONTENTS : Each maroon and brown soft gelatin capsule contains:

Ferrous fumarate .....200 mg

(66 mg elemental iron)

Ascorbic acid .....250 mg

Folic acid .....1 mg

Cyanocobalamin .....10 mcg

DISCUSSION : The amount of elemental iron and the absorption of the iron components of commercial iron preparations vary widely. It is further established that certain "accessory components" may be included to enhance absorption and utilization of iron. Hematogen FA Capsules are formulated to provide the essential factors for a complete, versatile hematinic.

ACTIONS

HIGH ELEMENTAL IRON CONTENT: Ferrous fumarate, used in Hematogen FA Capsules, is an organic iron 1,2 complex which has the highest elemental iron content of any hematinic salt - 33% This compares with 20% for ferrous sulfate (heptahydrate) and 13% for ferrous gluconate.

MORE COMPLETE ABSORPTION: It has been repeatedly shown that Ascorbic acid, when given in sufficient amounts, can increase the absorption of ferrous Iron from the gastrointestinal tract. The absorption promoting effect is mainly due to the reducing action of ascorbic acid within the gastrointestinal lumen, which helps to prevent or delay the formation of insoluble or less dissociated ferric compounds. Iron absorption has been shown to increase sharply with increasing amounts of ascorbic acid, showing a gain in absorption of approximately 40% at 250 mg. Above 250 mg, the gain becomes insignificant, with an additional gain of only approximately 8% at 500 mg. Each Hematogen FA capsule contains 250 mg of ascorbic acid, believed to be the optimal amount

PROMOTES MOVEMENT OF PLASMA IRON: Ascorbic acid also plays an important role in the movement of plasma iron to storage depots in the tissues .The action, which leads to the transport of plasma iron to ferritin, presumably involves its reducing effect, converting transferrin iron from the ferric to the ferrous state. There is also evidence that ascorbic acid improves iron utilization, presumably as a further result of its reducing action and some evidence that effect upon erythropoiesis. Ascorbic acid is further alleged to enhance the conversion of folic acid to a more...