Actiferrin

Actiferrin helps to replenish iron deficiency.

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Indications Actiferrin

It is used to restore iron levels in the body in case of serine or vitamin B9 deficiency.

In addition, the drug is often prescribed to pregnant women, as well as for other conditions when there is an increased need for iron.

Release form

The drug can be released in the form of drops, in bottles with a capacity of 30 ml.

It can also be sold in capsule form – in quantities of 20 or 50 pieces inside a box.

In addition, Aktiferrin is available in the form of syrup - in 0.1 l bottles.

Pharmacodynamics

Iron is considered an extremely important component for the normal and stable functioning of the body. The element is in the structure of cytochromes with hemoglobins, as well as myoglobin, and in addition, it is a participant in the processes of oxygen transportation into all tissues with organs; iron also stimulates the processes of erythropoiesis.

Approximately 60% of iron is contained in the structure of red blood cells (as hemoglobin), and another 1 g is inside the spleen and the macrophage system of the liver. In addition, iron is found inside the bone marrow - approximately 25 mg of the component is noted there daily.

Being an α-amino acid, serine helps improve the absorption of iron, which allows to significantly reduce the amount of iron required. The substance is absorbed and distributed more quickly within the body.

Folic acid is a participant in the binding of nucleotides and amino acids with nucleic acids, and along with this, it participates in the processes of erythropoiesis. This acid is extremely useful during pregnancy, because it protects against various teratogenic pathogens.

Pharmacokinetics

The absorption of the active elements of Aktiferrin occurs inside the duodenum, as well as the upper part of the small intestine. Here, approximately 15% of iron is absorbed. But with extremely low hemoglobin levels and increased erythropoiesis in the patient, these values can increase to 50%. After 3 hours, the medication reaches the plasma level of Cmax.

In the circulatory system, iron is synthesized with the enzyme transferrin and is also transported to the area of the required organs along with tissues. The maximum volume of iron that interacts with the enzyme is 12 mg.

Deposits are made inside the bone marrow together with the liver and spleen. Iron can pass into the mother's milk and through the placenta.

Every day the body loses up to 1 mg of iron; this process becomes especially intense in women during menstruation. The iron released during the breakdown of hemoglobin can be reused to bind a new oxygen carrier.

Dosing and administration

The treatment regimen is selected by a medical specialist based on the test results and monthly examinations. It is pointless to use the medication for less than 2 months. The body's indicators should be monitored at 4-week intervals.

Schemes for using the drug in the form of drops.

The dosage should be calculated according to the scheme 5 drops/kg. The medicine should be taken 3 times a day:

• infants are required to take the substance in the amount of 30-45 drops of LS per day;
• children of preschool age need to take 75-100 drops of the medicine;
• Schoolchildren should use 150 drops of the drug.

Mode of use of medicinal capsules.

The capsules should not be bitten or chewed - they are swallowed whole, washed down with plain water or orange juice (preferably). The medicine should be taken 30 minutes before eating.

Daily adult dose – 1 tablet 2 times a day. Children should take 1 tablet 1 time per day.

Methods of taking syrup.

When calculating the daily dose of drugs for people over 2 years of age, the following scheme is used: 5 ml/12 kg.

Typically, schoolchildren are prescribed 5 ml of the substance 3 times a day, and preschoolers are prescribed 5 ml 2 times a day.

Use Actiferrin during pregnancy

The drug is often used during pregnancy. But, under any circumstances, before using Aktiferrin, you must consult a doctor.

The drug is excreted in breast milk.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• intolerance to the components of the drug;
• hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis;
• anemia (thalassemia, lead, sideroblastic or hemolytic form, as well as caused by cyanocobalamin deficiency);
• when using other iron-containing medications;
• severe stages of pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract (intestinal obstruction or stenosis);
• galactosemia or fructosemia;
• regular blood transfusion procedures.

Side effects Actiferrin

The use of the drug may lead to the development of some side effects:

• bloating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and a bitter taste in the mouth;
• headaches, a feeling of weakness, and dizziness. Encephalopathy occasionally appears;
• pressure or pain in the chest, toothache or pain in the throat;
• rash on the epidermis, allergic symptoms and anaphylaxis.

If gastrointestinal disorders occur, you should try to reduce the daily dose of medications to eliminate negative effects.

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Overdose

Intoxication most often develops in children. Even in the case of taking 1 g of the drug, a threat to the child's life may arise, which is why the medicine must be kept in a place where children cannot get to.

Overdose symptoms include vomiting, vascular collapse or shock, nausea, diarrhea, and drowsiness. After 5 hours from the onset of the first symptoms, health may improve, but after 12-48 hours, the clinical picture may deteriorate significantly. Coagulopathy, shock, toxic liver failure, and intermittent breathing may develop.

Toxic hepatitis can cause jaundice and nervous system disorders, leading to comatose states. With timely treatment, the risk of death is significantly reduced.

To eliminate the disorders, first perform gastric lavage using phosphate or bicarbonate solutions, after which the patient needs to eat a raw egg and drink milk.

It is possible to use 1-2 g of deferoxamine - intravenously through a drip. The next day, another injection of the drug is carried out.

Clinical trials have shown that hemodialysis will be ineffective. Peritoneal dialysis may be used.

In extremely severe forms of poisoning, sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate may be used.

Interactions with other drugs

The absorption of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin with tetracycline, penicillamine with norfloxacin and levodopa, and in addition levofloxacin with carbidopa and methyldopa may be impaired under the influence of Actiferrin, which will require a change in dosage.

The combination of zinc with iron salts, as well as thyroxine, leads to a deterioration in the gastric absorption of the drug.

Vitamin C together with citric acid potentiates the degree of iron absorption.

Magnesium with cholestyramine and calcium with chloramphenicol, as well as magnesium-, calcium- and aluminum-containing antacids with bismuth, weaken the processes of iron resorption.

Combination with GCS promotes potentiation of erythropoiesis processes.

Vitamin E reduces the activity of iron in the body (this is especially true for children).

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Storage conditions

Aktiferrin should be kept in a place out of reach of small children. Temperature indicators – within 25°C.

Shelf life

Actiferrin capsules can be used within 4 years from the date of manufacture of the drug. The shelf life of drops and syrup is 24 months.

Analogues

The analogues of the drug are Ferroplect, Totema, Feron Forte, Sorbifer Durules with Maltofer, as well as Ranferon-12, Hemoferon and Gemsineral-TD.

Reviews

Aktiferrin receives mostly positive reviews - the drug is well tolerated and rarely causes the development of negative symptoms. Also, many patients note the fairly low cost of the drug and the variety of forms of release.

Parents who used the drug to treat infants also speak positively about it - it increases hemoglobin levels, which improves the color of the child's epidermis and increases its activity. However, some still note that the drug causes negative symptoms.