Description

Iron Polymaltose Complex with Folic Acid is a combination supplement used to treat and prevent deficiencies of both iron and folic acid. It contains Iron Polymaltose Complex (IPC), a stable, non-ionic form of iron that is well-tolerated and less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects compared to traditional iron salts. Folic acid (or folate) is a B-vitamin that is essential for cell growth and metabolism. This combination is particularly useful in situations where a dual deficiency of these nutrients is present.

Indication

This combination is indicated for the treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anemia and/or folic acid deficiency anemia. Its main uses include:

• Anemia in Pregnancy: It is commonly prescribed to pregnant women to meet the increased demands for both iron and folic acid, which are crucial for the health of both the mother and the developing fetus. Folic acid is especially important for preventing neural tube defects in the baby.

• Megaloblastic Anemia with Coexisting Iron Deficiency: This formulation is used when a patient has a type of anemia caused by folate deficiency (megaloblastic anemia) that is also accompanied by iron deficiency.
• Malnutrition and Malabsorption: For individuals with nutritional deficiencies or conditions that impair nutrient absorption.
• Post-surgical or Blood Loss Anemia: To help rebuild iron and folate stores after significant blood loss.

Mechanism of Action

The therapeutic effect of this combination is based on the individual and synergistic actions of its two components:

1. Iron Polymaltose Complex (IPC) Mechanism

• Absorption: The iron in IPC is in a non-ionic ferric (Fe3+) state and is absorbed by a specific active transport mechanism in the small intestine. This bypasses the need for the free iron ions that cause gastrointestinal irritation with traditional iron salts.
• Metabolism: Once inside the intestinal cells, the iron is released from the complex and either stored as ferritin or transported into the bloodstream by binding to transferrin.
• Hemoglobin Synthesis: The transferrin-bound iron is then transported to the bone marrow, where it is used as a critical component for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to tissues. By providing a well-tolerated source of iron, IPC helps to correct iron deficiency and restore normal hemoglobin levels.

2. Folic Acid Mechanism

• Nucleotide Synthesis: Folic acid is an essential cofactor for enzymes involved in the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, the building blocks of DNA and RNA. This process is vital for cell division and growth.
• Red Blood Cell Maturation: A key role of folic acid is in the maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. A deficiency leads to megaloblastic anemia, where red blood cells are large and immature and cannot function properly. Folic acid supplementation restores normal red blood cell development.

• Amino Acid Metabolism: Folic acid is also involved in the metabolism of certain amino acids, such as homocysteine.

3. Synergistic Effect

The combination is synergistic because both iron and folic acid are essential for the production of healthy red blood cells. Iron provides the core component for hemoglobin, while folic acid provides the building blocks for the DNA needed for red blood cell maturation. A deficiency in either can lead to anemia. By providing both, the combination ensures that the body has all the necessary components to restore red blood cell production and correct the anemia.