Fefol Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Price, Composition & 20 FAQs

October 24, 2018

What is Fefol?

It is a medicine which is used to treat conditions like Megoblastic and Iron deficiency anemia. Diarrhoea and dark coloured stools are the majorly seen side effects. It should be totally avoided in case of liver dysfunction and allergic cases.

Also Read in Hindi: About Fefol
Fefol Composition: Ferrous Sulphate 150mg + Folic Acid 0.5 mg
Manufactured By: GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
Prescription: Not required as it is available as Over the Counter Drug (OTC)
Form: Capsules
Price: Rs 75 for 15 capsules.
Expiry/Shelf Life: 24 months from the date of manufacturing
Type of Drug: Nutritional supplement

Uses of Fefol

Fefol serves a great purpose in the treatment of following conditions:

Anaemia: Used to treat Anaemia during pregnancy and lactation
Vitamin deficiency: Used for treatment of Megaloblastic Anaemia due to Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency.
Iron deficiency: Used to treat Iron deficiency anaemia caused due to excess blood loss or inadequate iron intake
Weakness: Used for General weakness
Diet problems: Used in cases of inadequate dietary intake
Immunity Booster: Used for Immunity building

How does Fefol work?

Fefol contains Iron and Folic Acid
Elemental iron restores iron stores quickly restoring the tissue iron stores as well and correcting the anaemia eventually.
Iron helps in Haemoglobin formation as its essential part of Haemoglobin.
Folic acid helps in production and maturation of red blood cells.
Folic acid deficiency leads to Megaloblastic Anaemia in people and birth defects in children born to folic acid deficient mothers.

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How to take Fefol?

Fefol is usually available in capsule form.
Fefol capsule is usually taken by mouth with a glass of water after meals.
It should be taken at fixed evenly spaced time intervals between two doses for effective results but not more than single dose a day.
Fefol capsule should be swallowed as a whole instead of crushing or chewing it.
Fefol syrup should be consumed after shaking the bottle well and using measuring cup.
Complete dose/therapy as prescribed by the doctor should be taken.
It is advisable to go through the drug leaflet available in the packet insert for correct use.

Common Dosage for Fefol

Fefol dosage can be decided by the doctor for every individual as per: Age, Weight, Mental status, Allergic history and Health status of the patient.
Common Adult dose 1-2 capsules daily after meals, unless stated otherwise by the doctor.
Consult a paediatrician before administering to children.
Prolonged use or dose alteration should be avoided unless stated otherwise by the doctor.

Q. What happens if I overdose on Fefol?

Overdose of Fefol can cause adverse effects so, the drug should be taken carefully as prescribed by the doctor and consult the Medical Staff or the doctor immediately in case of Fefol overdose.

Q. What happens if I miss a dose of Fefol?

Dose prescribed by the doctor should never be missed and if missed, it should be consumed always as soon as you remember it. But, avoid taking a double dose if it’s already time for the second dose after that as it may lead to overdose of the drug.

Q. What happens if I eat expired Fefol?

Expired dose of Fefol is very unlikely to cause any undesired effect however, the physician should be consulted in case of any sickness or symptoms after consuming an expired medicine. An expired drug is not potent enough to treat the condition and one should avoid consuming expired drug.

Q. What is the onset time of Fefol?

Effects/result depends on the condition being treated, usually one starts to feel recovered within 3-4 weeks of Fefol therapy. Complete prescribed dose of the drug should be taken before stopping the treatment.

When to Avoid Fefol?

Do not Consume Fefol if:

Allergy: In cases of known history of allergy to any of its constituents.
Liver or Kidney diseases: In cases of known history of kidney/hepatic disease.
Blood transfusions: In cases of patients on repeated blood transfusions.
GI disorders: In cases of patients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Precautions While Taking Fefol:

Proper administration: never chew the capsule, swallow it as a whole.
Dose alteration: Dose alteration without medical consultation should be avoided.

Warnings When Taking Fefol

In cases of pernicious and Megaloblastic anaemia due to Vitamin B12 deficiency, folic acid therapy should be supplemented with Vitamin B12 therapy for proper treatment.
Always inform the doctor about any concomitant medication you are taking at the present time.

Side-Effects of Fefol

The side effects associated with Fefol are:

Vomiting (common)
Nausea (common)
Indigestion (common)
Diarrhoea (common)
Dark coloured stools (less common)
Bitter taste in mouth (common)
Anxiety (less common)
Gastric irritations (common)
Rashes and itching on skin (less common)

Are There Any Reported Allergic Reactions to Fefol?

In case of any allergic signs like itching, redness breathlessness, chest tightness and rashes, immediate medical help should be taken.

What are the effects of Fefol on organs?

Fefol is to be used with caution in patients with liver and kidney diseases.

Drug Interactions with Fefol to be Careful About

It is always advisable to be careful of certain drug to drug or drug to food interactions when consuming Fefol. Always be aware of the food items, other drugs or lab tests while consuming Fefol. We explore these n details below.

1. Food Interactions with Fefol

No food item is to be avoided.

2. Medicines Interactions with Fefol

All the potential drug interactions might not be listed here. It is always advisable that the patient must inform the physician about of all the drugs/products you use. You must notify the doctor about the herbal products that you are currently consuming. You should never alter the drug regimen without your doctor’s approval.

The common drug interactions have been noticed with the following drugs:

Alcohol (mild)
Ascorbic acid (mild)
Cetirizine (mild)
Phenytoin (mild)
Methotrexate (moderate)
Barbiturates (mild)

3. Effects of Fefol on Lab Tests

Fefol does not affect any lab test as such.

4. Fefol ’s interactions with Pre-existing Conditions/Diseases

Liver, kidney or heart disease.

Q. Can I have Fefol with alcohol?

No, as consuming alcohol with Fefol can increase the risk of side effects.

Q. Any particular food item to be avoided?

Q. Can I have Fefol when pregnant?

Yes, no adverse effects on foetus are reported instead it is advised to pregnant women for restoring iron and folic acid deficiency.

Q. Can I have Fefol when feeding a baby?

Yes, no adverse effects on foetus are reported instead it is advised to pregnant women for restoring iron and folic acid deficiency.

Q. Can I drive after taking Fefol?

Yes, it doesn’t affect the ability to drive but in some cases it may cause dizziness or drowsiness so one should avoid driving if any dizziness or drowsiness occurs.

Buyer’s Guide – Fefol Composition, Variant and Price

Variant	Composition	Price
Fefol Z Capsule	Folic Acid 0.5mg + Elemental Zinc 222.5mg + Elemental Iron 50mg	Rs. 142.50 for 15 capsules
Fefoli XT tablet	Ferrous Ascorbate 100mg + Folic acid 1.5mg	Rs. 155.6 for 10 tablets

Buy & Get Minimum 20% Discount:  1mg offers | Pharmeasy codes

Substitutes of Fefol

The following are alternative drugs for Fefol:

Femina XT tablet: Manufactured by Mint Pharmaceuticals.
Ferozed XT tablet: Manufactured by Zedawn Lifesciences Pvt Ltd.
Zedfer C Capsule: Manufactured by Zedawn Lifesciences Pvt Ltd.

Storage requirements for Fefol

Store the drug protected from light, moisture and direct heat at cool and dry place.
Keep at a place where it is out of reach of children

FAQs – 10 Important Questions Answered about Fefol

Q. What is Fefol?

Ans. Fefol is a synthetically derived oral nutritional supplement which contains iron and folic acid as its main active ingredient.

Fefol is used mainly to treat folic acid deficiency anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia.

Q. How long does it take for Fefol to show results?

Ans. Effects/result depends on the condition being treated, usually one starts to feel recovered within 3-4 weeks of Fefol therapy.

Q. Should Fefol be taken on an empty stomach?

Ans. Fefol should not be taken empty stomach.

Q. Does Fefol make you drowsy?

Ans. Yes, Fefol may cause drowsiness in few cases but it varies with every individual.

Q. What should be the time gap between the consumption of 2 Fefol doses?

Ans. Ideal time gap of 6-8 hours should be there between two doses to avoid Fefol toxicity or overdose.

Q. Should I complete the whole cycle of the medicine even if cured?

Ans. Fefol should be consumed as prescribed by the doctor and in case of any severity of symptoms, immediate medical help or consultation should be taken. The doctor should be the one to decide when and how to stop the cycle of Fefol.

Q. Does Fefol effect my menstrual cycle?

Ans. No, it generally doesn’t affect the menstrual cycle but one should always consult the doctor in case of pre existing menstrual problems before consuming the drug

Q. Is Fefol safe for children?

Ans. Fefol should not be administered in children below 6 years without proper consultation and recommendation by the Paediatrician.

Q. Are there any symptoms that I should consider before taking Fefol?

Ans. Any liver disease, drug intolerance or allergic reactions are to be taken into consideration before taking Fefol.

Q. Is Fefol legal in India?

Ans. Yes, it is legal in India.

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Disclaimer – The information provided above is to the best of our research and knowledge. However, you are recommended to consult a physician before consuming the drug.