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" What is it used for?  Treating iron deficiency anaemia, especially in children, in pregnant women who can&amp;#039;t tolerate other forms of iron supplements and in people with anaemia as a result of rheumatoid arthritis.     How does it work? Sytron oral solution contains the active ingredient sodium feredetate, which is a form of iron.  Iron plays a vital role in production of haemoglobin, which is the oxygen-transporting substance found in red blood cells. If the diet does not contain enough iron, the body cannot make enough new red blood cells. This results in iron deficiency anaemia, with symptoms such as tiredness, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting. To treat iron deficiency anaemia, iron supplements such as this one are needed. The increased iron intake allows the body to increase its production of red blood cells. The iron in this medicine is combined with a chemical called EDTA to make sodium feredetate. It is referred to as an unionised form of iron and not an iron salt. Sodium feredetate breaks down in the gut and releases the iron, which is then absorbed by the body. As this medicine is not an iron salt, it is less likely to cause stomach upsets or discolour teeth.  The absorption of iron from the gut is decreased if it is taken at the same time as coffee, tea, eggs or milk. Its absorption is enhanced if it is taken at the same time as foods or supplements containing vitamin C (ascorbic acid).    How do I take it?  To treat iron deficiency anaemia in adults and children over 12 years of age, one 5ml spoonful of Sytron oral solution should be taken three times a day, gradually increasing to two 5ml spoonfuls (10ml) three times a day. Follow the instructions given by your doctor.  This medicine should be taken before food on an empty stomach. However, if the solution upsets your stomach, then you may take it with or after food.  The absorption of iron may be reduced by tea, coffee, eggs and milk. You should avoid consuming these at the same time as taking Sytron oral solution.  Sytron oral solution is for children under 12 years of age, as well as adults and children over 12 years of age. However, children under 12 years of age should only be given this medicine when prescribed by a doctor. The amount of oral solution to be given to children depends on their age and bodyweight, among other things. It is important to follow the instructions given to you by your doctor and the directions printed on the label.   Warning!   This medicine may discolour the stools black or darker than usual. This is normal and harmless. This medicine contains iron and so should be kept well out of the sight and reach of children, as iron overdose can be fatal in children.   Not to be used in  People with anaemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anaemia). People with anaemia due to folic acid deficiency.  Genetic disease resulting in too much iron storage in the tissues (haemochromatosis). People with a disorder that affects storage of iron in the body (haemosiderosis).  People with a condition where there is sudden loss of haemoglobin (oxygen carrying protein in the blood) in the urine at night (paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria).  People with other disorders involving haemoglobin, such as sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia. People receiving repeated blood transfusions. People with an active peptic ulcer.  Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn&amp;#039;s disease.  This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.   Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.  This medicine is safe to take during pregnancy. However, you should check with your doctor or midwife if it is necessary for you to take an iron supplement during your pregnancy. Not all pregnant women need to take supplements; you may be getting enough nutrients from your diet. There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by breastfeeding mothers.   Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.  Diarrhoea. Feeling sick.  The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine&amp;#039;s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.   How can this medicine affect other medicines? It is important to tell your doctor what medicines you are taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.  Iron supplements can affect the absorption of a number of medicines from the gut, which can make these medicines less effective. For this reason, it is recommended that iron supplements are taken at least two hours before or two hours after other medicines, in order to minimise this effect. The medicines for which this is most important are listed below:    bisphosphonates, eg alendronate eltrombopag  entacapone levodopa levothyroxine methyldopa (iron tablets may also reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of methyldopa) penicillamine  quinolone-type antibiotics, eg ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin  tetracycline-type antibiotics, eg oxytetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline (these antibiotics also reduce the absorption of the iron supplements from the gut).  Zinc and calcium supplements reduce the absorption of iron supplements. Separate the medicines by at least two hours. Antacids for heartburn or indigestion, such as magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, aluminium hydroxide and calcium carbonate may decrease the absorption of iron from the gut and thereby make the supplements less effective. Separate the medicines by at least two hours. Trientene, used to treat Wilson&amp;#039;s disease, also reduces the absorption of iron supplements from the gut, making them less effective unless the doses are separated by at least two hours. Milk, milk-containing products, tea, coffee and eggs, may decrease iron absorption from the gut, while vitamin C (ascorbic acid) increases it.   Other medicines containing the same active ingredient There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain sodium feredetate as the active ingredient.  Last updated 27.11.2011 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/diet-and-nutrition/a7611/sytron-sodium-feredetate/>