Heme iron polypeptide
Generic name: heme iron polypeptide [ HEEM-I-urn-POL-ee-PEP-tide ]
Brand name: Proferrin-ES
Dosage form: oral tablet (12 mg)
Drug class:Iron products
What is heme iron polypeptide?
Heme iron polypeptide is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. In your body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin (HEEM o glo bin) and myoglobin (MY o glo bin). Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.
Heme iron polypeptide is used to treat iron deficiency.
Heme iron polypeptide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use heme iron polypeptide if you are allergic to meat products, or if you have iron overload disorder (such as hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis).
An overdose of heme iron polypeptide can be fatal, especially in a young child who has accidentally swallowed it.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use heme iron polypeptide if you are allergic to it, or if you have iron overload disorder (hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis).
Heme iron polypeptide is made from animal hemoglobin (part of the blood). You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to meat products or if you do not allow animal products in your diet.
To make sure heme iron polypeptide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
an intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis;
hemolytic anemia (caused by the breakdown of red blood cells); or
an iron overload disorder.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you become pregnant during treatment. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Your dose needs may be different while you are nursing.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
How should I take heme iron polypeptide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take heme iron polypeptide in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this medicine.
To be sure heme iron polypeptide is helping your condition, you may need frequent blood tests. You may not notice any change in your symptoms, but your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with heme iron polypeptide.
This medicine can cause you to have a false positive hemoccult test. If you provide a stool sample for testing, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking heme iron polypeptide.
