The drug maltofer contains iron in the most organic form. The child receives iron molecules almost identical in structure from mother's milk. The medicine is well absorbed by the body and does not cause allergies. Therefore, it is often prescribed to infants and even newborns to treat anemia.
Composition and release forms
"Maltofer" is a preparation containing ferric iron in the form of polymaltosate hydroxide. This organic form is considered to be the closest in molecular properties to ferritin, the iron found in breast milk. Thanks to this, the substance is fully absorbed, absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream without the formation of ions, and extremely rarely causes adverse reactions. “Maltofer” is available in the form of:
- tablets;
- oral solution;
- syrup;
- drops;
- liquids for injections.
Dosage forms differ in the concentration of iron and the set of additional components.
Syrup and drops are used to prevent and treat anemia in babies under one year of age.
The iron content in the syrup is 10 mg/ml. Excipients - sucrose, sorbitol, ethanol, flavoring, water and so on. The drug is available in dark bottles with a capacity of 75 and 150 ml, which are equipped with measuring caps.
The concentration of iron in drops is 50 mg/ml. Additional components – sucrose, flavoring, water. The product is bottled in dark glass bottles with dropper dispensers with a capacity of 10 and 30 ml.
Both forms of Maltofer are brown in color, sweet taste and creamy aroma. The consistency of the syrup is more viscous than that of the drops. The products are sold without a prescription. They should be stored at temperatures up to 25°C in a dark place.
What can be replaced?
Medical analogues:
- Polymaltose iron is a complete analogue from the Italian manufacturer ABC, in children's practice it is used in the form of drops and syrup;
- Fenyuls Complex is an Indian analogue, available in syrup and drops, used in children from birth;
- Ferry syrup is also an Indian analogue from another manufacturer for children from birth;
- Ferlatum is an oral solution, the active ingredient is iron protein succinylate, prescribed from birth;
- Ferrum Lek – produced in Slovenia, chewable tablets and syrup for babies from birth;
- iron-containing preparations:
- Tardiferon - iron sulfate (II) in a sugar shell, used in children's practice from 6 years of age;
- Maltofer Fol - contains folic acid, available in tablets, not prescribed for children under 12 years of age;
- Biovital elixir is a multivitamin preparation that, among other components, contains ferric iron; it is prescribed to children in the form of a gel;
- Supradin Kids Junior is a complex multivitamin preparation with a high iron content, used for children from 5 years of age in the form of chewable tablets.
Action and indications
After taking Maltofer internally, iron enters the blood, where it is gradually released from its connection with other components, penetrating the bone marrow and liver. Next, part of the substance is used for the production of hemoglobin, and the remainder accumulates in the form of ferritin, the reserves of which are used in the future.
The main tasks of hemoglobin are to deliver oxygen to all cells and remove carbon dioxide from the body. When there is a lack of it, tissues experience hypoxia, they cannot absorb nutrients and perform their functions normally. Anemia in a baby manifests itself in the form of weakness, decreased activity, poor weight gain, frequent acute respiratory infections and other unpleasant signs. Taking Maltofer quickly and effectively eliminates hemoglobin deficiency, helping to improve the general condition.
Indications for use:
- iron deficiency anemia confirmed by a blood test (hemoglobin level less than 110 g/l);
- the child being at risk of developing anemia, including being bottle-fed and being born prematurely;
- low weight (dystrophy), significant lag in the rate of weight gain.
The baby's entry into the risk group and low weight are considered to be a latent (hidden) course of anemia. It is characterized by a decrease in the concentration of iron in the blood serum. In this case, the analysis shows a normal hemoglobin level.
Most modern infant formulas are fortified with iron. The very fact that a child is being bottle-fed is not a basis for prescribing Maltofer. It is necessary to consult a doctor and carry out a diagnosis.
Price
We have fully studied the instructions for Maltofer Fall. What do buyers say about the drug? Maybe you should refrain from buying it?
The vitamin receives a lot of negative reviews for its cost. A package of tablets costs from 250 rubles, syrup - from 350, and drops - from 400 rubles. Taking into account the need for long-term treatment, a person will have to spend a lot of money.
It is the price of the drug that causes the most dissatisfaction. But this phenomenon should not repel. After all, the main thing is the effectiveness of treatment.
Admission rules
The Maltofer treatment regimen must be prescribed by a doctor. Instructions for use contain the following standard daily dosage for infants (children up to 12 months):
- for established anemia – syrup – 2.5-5 ml, drops – 10-20 drops;
- for latent flow – syrup – 1.5-2.5 ml, drops – 6-10 drops;
- for prematurity (only drops are used) – 1-2 drops per 1 kg of body weight (the amount of medicine is adjusted every week).
The average duration of therapy is 3-5 months, subject to normalization of parameters. Then the drug should be taken in prophylactic doses for 2-3 months. Research shows that treatment with Maltofer can last a lifetime.
The daily dose of drops or syrup can be divided into 2-3 doses or given to the child once. Due to the complete set of the drug with measuring instruments (lid or dropper), it is not difficult to determine the required amount.
The medicine must be taken during or immediately after meals. It should be added to drinks or liquid foods - juice, compote, expressed breast milk, formula. It is better not to mix the drug with tea. It is important to make sure that the baby takes the entire required dose of the medicine. To do this, it should be dripped into a small amount of drink.
Since the limits of the permissible dose are wide, the baby’s weight should be taken into account. The smaller it is, the closer to the lower limit the amount of Maltofer should be.
Drug interactions
When using injection forms of Maltofer, it is not recommended to use oral forms (solution, drops, syrup, tablets). In the case of their simultaneous use, the absorption reaction of the latter is reduced. Changing dosage forms is allowed 7 days after the last injection.
Taking Maltofer together with drugs to lower blood pressure can enhance the effect of intramuscular injections.
Laboratory studies have shown that the drug can be taken simultaneously with phenolic compounds (for example, tetracycline) and aluminum hydroxide. In this case, the efficiency of iron absorption is not reduced.
Similar conclusions were made for food products containing phytic and oxalic acids, tannin, nitride alginate, choline and its salts, vitamins A, E and D3, soybean oil or flour. Therefore, Maltofer can be taken both during meals and immediately after meals.
Safety
Maltofer should not be used to treat infants with:
- anemia that is not associated with iron deficiency;
- sensitivity to the ingredients of the product;
- excess iron in tissues (hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis);
- failure in the mechanisms of iron removal from the body;
- obstructive gastrointestinal diseases (esophageal stenosis);
- intestinal obstruction.
The drug should be used with caution in case of renal and liver failure, cardiovascular disorders and asthma. Liquid for injection is not prescribed to children under 4 months. The drug should not be combined with taking other iron-containing medications. Maltofer is usually well tolerated in infancy. In rare cases, side effects such as:
- nausea, vomiting;
- violation of bowel movements - constipation or diarrhea;
- stomach ache;
- dark coloring of stool;
- darkening of the oral mucosa;
- allergic rash and itching.
The appearance of one of these signs is a reason to contact a doctor to correct the treatment regimen for anemia.
Contraindications
There are few contraindications for the use of this drug. They are associated with iron imbalance. Maltofer is not prescribed for the following conditions:
- if the anemia is not iron deficiency (for example, hemolytic or megaloblastic (lack of vitamin B 12));
- in case of excess iron content in the blood (hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis);
- in case of failures in the processes of iron utilization (lead or sideroachrestic anemia, thalassemia).
In such cases, iron-containing drugs can only harm or distort the picture of the disease.
Reviews from parents
Reviews from parents who used Maltofer to treat infants for anemia are in most cases positive. Within 1-2 months, the drug helped normalize hemoglobin levels and achieve lasting improvement in the child’s condition. It is convenient to give the product to children by mixing it with drink.
Among the negative aspects, parents cite the inaccurate indication of dosage in the instructions, as well as the lack of information about the compatibility of Maltofer with ascorbic acid, which is also used for anemia. In addition, some babies experienced side effects:
- staining of the oral cavity in a dark color and blackening of the tooth enamel (disappeared after withdrawal);
- darkening of stool;
- allergy.
Another disadvantage of the drug is its relatively high price, provided that it must be taken for a long time. The average cost of syrup (150 ml) is 283 rubles, drops (30 ml) – 236 rubles.
Who is the drug suitable for?
Some people are interested in who might be prescribed the drug being studied. This is an important point. After all, it’s no secret that it’s problematic for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women to find medications, and the same goes for older people.
Thanks to the variety of release forms, Maltofer is suitable for any category of patients. Adults and children over 12 years old can take tablets, children over 2 years old can drink syrup, and drops are recommended for newborns and babies up to 24 months. Solutions are actively used in medical institutions.
Important: lactation and pregnancy are not contraindications for taking Maltofer. The main thing is to correctly calculate the dose of the drug and strictly follow medical recommendations.
Alternative options
Analogues of “Maltofer” containing the same active ingredient are “Fenuls Complex”, “Ferry”, “Ferrum Lek”. In addition, many drugs are available that contain other forms of iron.
Many parents are concerned about whether it is necessary for their child to take iron-containing medications or whether dietary adjustments can be made. If anemia is diagnosed or the doctor suspects that it occurs in a latent form in a child, then you should not give up Maltofer, since hemoglobin deficiency at a young age can lead to significant negative consequences.
In parallel with drug therapy, it is important to pay attention to the baby’s diet. Up to 6 months, only breast milk or formula is acceptable. Then you can gradually introduce foods containing iron into the menu: beef, liver, buckwheat, herbs, apples, beets, and so on. In addition, it is very important to spend time outdoors with your child often.
It is not recommended to give cow's milk to children with anemia before one year of age, as it interferes with the absorption of iron. The reasons for this are irritation of the intestinal walls and a specific reaction to milk protein (casein).
"Maltofer" is an effective and safe drug for the treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anemia in infancy. It contains iron in a bioavailable form, which is easily absorbed and provides the body with resources for the synthesis of hemoglobin. A prescription is not required to purchase the drug, but parents should not use it on their own. The doctor must examine the child and determine an adequate treatment regimen with Maltofer.
Maltofer for infants instructions
If a baby is diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia based on a blood test, then, as a rule, not only nutritional adjustments are prescribed, but also the iron-containing drug Maltofer. It contains ferric iron and other substances that do not cause allergic reactions. Among other things, the iron in the preparation is as close as possible to the natural form, so it is completely absorbed by the walls of the stomach and does not release ions. This allows you to avoid such phenomena as overdose and intoxication, and therefore can also be used for infants.
Maltofer drops for infants
Maltofer in the form of drops does not cause any difficulties when taken. Due to the measuring stopper on the bottle, it is convenient to pour the number of drops prescribed by the doctor onto a spoon without making a mistake. Taking the medicine in liquid form greatly facilitates treatment for infants who cannot be given a tablet.
Maltofer syrup for infants
The syrup is very easy to use. The bottle with syrup comes with a measuring cap, thanks to which you can pour in the amount of the drug that corresponds to your age. In addition, the syrup has a pleasant taste, which is important for infants who may spit out tasteless medicine.
At what age is it allowed to take
According to indications, the drug can be taken by children from birth. Maltofer in the form of drops for oral use can be added to mixtures or food, which does not change the degree of effectiveness of the drug taken or the taste characteristics of the food.
If the mother had problems with low hemoglobin during pregnancy, it is worth having the drug Maltofer in the form of drops in the first aid kit for the newborn, since the risk of developing anemia in children born to anemic mothers is increased.
