Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Feratab as follows:
- Notify your doctor of any unresolved and worsening symptoms of anemia, such as, pale skin and mucus membranes, exacerbation of shortness of breath, and weakness or continuing unpleasant side-effects. Your dosage on the medication could be revised or alternative plan of action could be considered.
- Be aware of symptoms of iron toxicity you might present with. Iron administered over a prolonged span of time can accumulate in various vital organs of the body, thus compromising their function and leading to debility. Individuals can present with abdominal pain, liver damage, hepatitis, jaundice, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, deteriorating blood sugar control, arthritis, neuropathy, cognitive deficits, and seizures, secondary to the compromised functional status of various organs with iron overload. Report to your physician or other health care personnel regarding any new or exacerbation of the above mentioned symptoms, following chronic intake of Feratab, so that, your dosage on the medication could be revised or other necessary changes made to your plan of care.
- Maintain strict compliance with intake of the medication as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication. Do not change the dose on this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Periodical labs could be drawn for blood levels of iron, to evaluate the therapeutic benefit of Feratab intake and to rule out any overdose. Also, labs could be ordered periodically for vital organ functions, such as, liver and heart, to identify any early signs of iron overload and toxicity. Observe compliance with any lab draws ordered.
