Ascorbic acid/iron polysaccharide Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings
Brand names: Fe-Tinic 150, Ferrex 150 Plus, Niferex-150, Rexavite 150
Ascorbic acid/iron polysaccharide Pregnancy Warnings
Ascorbic acid has been assigned to pregnancy category A by the FDA when used in doses that are advocated by the FDA. Doses exceeding the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) have been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have not been reported. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.
Iron polysaccharide has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the FDA. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Human case reports have not revealed evidence of teratogenicity. Ascorbic acid-iron polysaccharide should only be given during pregnancy when the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks.
High doses of ascorbic acid taken during pregnancy have been reported to cause conditional scurvy in infants following birth.
Generally, iron is considered safe for use during pregnancy and is regularly prescribed as a component of prenatal vitamin/mineral supplements. However, controversy exists as to whether or not routine iron supplementation is needed in the non-anemic pregnant patient. Although the FDA has not assigned iron to a pregnancy category, the European Community Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products has rated iron preparations a category "A", defined as a medicinal product assessed in pregnant women with no known harmful effects with respect to the course of pregnancy and the health of the unborn and the neonate.
Anemia may be a risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible, either before pregnancy or in the first trimester. Because supplementation with iron may reduce the dietary absorption of zinc, it may be important to assess zinc status as well. Most prenatal vitamins also contain adequate amounts of zinc. Absorption of iron and zinc may be reduced if calcium is also a component of the prenatal multivitamin.
Ascorbic acid/iron polysaccharide Breastfeeding Warnings
There are no data on the excretion of ascorbic acid-iron polysaccharide into human milk. Ascorbic acid is excreted into human breast milk. Several reports suggest that iron supplementation during lactation does not significantly affect the total concentration of iron in human milk. Iron polysaccharide administration during lactation is generally considered safe for the infant by most clinicians.
The effects of ascorbic acid in the nursing infant are unknown. The manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering ascorbic acid to nursing women.
One study demonstrated that a moderate iron supplementation of non-anemic nursing mothers (40 mg elemental iron daily over 3 months starting 2 days after delivery) resulted in increased maternal iron reserves, no significant alterations in milk iron concentration or lactoferrin, and no harmful effect on the infant.
Another study evaluated oral iron supplementation in 19 anemic women receiving 100 mg elemental iron per day starting 2 days after delivery and continuing for 30 days. Ten non-anemic women had received iron supplementation during pregnancy. Iron and lactoferrin concentrations in milk obtained at 2 and 30 days after delivery did not differ between groups at either stage of lactation.
References for pregnancy information
- Harju E (1989) "Clinical pharmacokinetics of iron preparations." Clin Pharmacokinet, 17, p. 69-89
- Guldholt IS, Trolle BG, Hvidman LE (1991) "Iron supplementation during pregnancy." Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 70, p. 9-12
- Scholl TO, Hediger ML (1994) "Anemia and iron-deficiency anemia: compilation of data on pregnancy outcome." Am J Clin Nutr, 59, s492-500dicuion500-5
- (1993) "Routine iron supplementation during pregnancy. Review article: US Preventive Services Task Force." JAMA, 270, p. 2848-54
- (1993) "Routine iron supplementation during pregnancy. Policy statement: US Preventive Services Task Force." JAMA, 270, p. 2846-8
- Peters PW, Garbis-Berkvens HM, Bannigan JG (1993) "Drugs of choice in pregnancy: primary prevention of birth defects." Reprod Toxicol, 7, p. 399-404
- "Product Information. Cemill 500 (ascorbic acid)." Abbott Pharmaceutical
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ.. (2002) "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation." Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
References for breastfeeding information
- Harju E (1989) "Clinical pharmacokinetics of iron preparations." Clin Pharmacokinet, 17, p. 69-89
- Zapata CV, Donangelo CM, Trugo NMF (1994) "Effect of iron supplementation during lactation on human milk composition." J Nutr Biochem, 5, p. 331-7
- Zavaleta N, Nombera J, Rojas R, Hambraeus L, Gislason J, Lonnerdal B (1995) "Iron and lactoferrin in milk of anemic mothers given iron supplements." Nutr Res, 15, p. 681-90
- (2005) "Product Information. Niferex-150 (ascorbic acid-iron polysaccharide)." Ther-Rx Corporation
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.