Frequently Asked Questions
Are all irons the same?
No, they are not. When taking an iron supplement, it is important to check the amount of elemental iron per dose. Many supplements containing iron have only small amounts of elemental iron per dose, often less than 24mg. These are a dietary supplement only and are not intended for the treatment of iron deficiency.
If your iron causes constipation, try Maltofer. Maltofer contains 100 mg of elemental iron per dose, in the form of iron polymaltose which provides an adequate amount of iron to treat iron deficiency when taken as directed. Be sure to check if your current iron supplement is delivering enough elemental iron for your needs.
How long do iron tablets take to work?
You should discuss this question with your medical practitioner or pharmacist, as this will be variable depending on your individual circumstances.
Generally speaking, it may take a few weeks for iron tablets to start working and may take 3-6 months for full iron correction. You will need to visit your medical practitioner regularly while you are taking Maltofer to monitor your iron status.
What is Maltofer used for?
Maltofer is used for the treatment of iron deficiency in adults and adolescents (aged 12 years and over) and it is also used for the prevention of iron deficiency in high-risk adults and adolescents in both cases where the use of ferrous iron supplements is not tolerated or otherwise inappropriate.
Iron deficiency occurs when the body fails to absorb enough iron, often due to not enough iron being absorbed from food, although it can also be caused by a number of other health conditions.
Iron is an important nutrient for your physical and mental health and for keeping your energy levels up. It is also needed to keep your immune system healthy, aiding your ability to fight off infections.
What are Maltofer’s ingredients?
Active ingredients:
- Maltofer Iron Tablets: 100 mg iron as 370 mg iron polymaltose
- Maltofer Iron Syrup: 100 mg iron/10 mL as 370 mg iron polymaltose
Other ingredients:
- Maltofer Iron Tablets: crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, macrogol 6000, magnesium stearate, cellulose – microcrystalline and titanium dioxide.
- Maltofer Iron Syrup: cream flavour, ethanol, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, water-purified, sodium hydroxide, sorbitol solution (70%) non-crystallising, and sucrose.
Dosage:
You should always take Maltofer exactly as your medical practitioner or pharmacist has instructed. Consult with them if you are unsure.
For treatment of iron deficiency in adults and adolescents (aged 12 years and over), take 1-2 tablets or 10-20 mL of syrup (100-200 mg iron) daily, preferably with food.
For prevention of iron deficiency in high-risk adults and adolescents (aged 12 years and over), take 1 tablet or 10 mL of syrup (100 mg iron) daily, preferably with food.
Higher doses may be taken as directed by your medical practitioner.
Is Maltofer suitable for use in pregnancy?
If your iron causes constipation, try Maltofer. Maltofer is suitable for use in pregnancy. Maltofer has been used for over 50 years to correct iron levels in pregnant women. Clinical studies have shown that Maltofer corrects iron deficiency in pregnant women with significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects.
Please be sure to mention to your medical practitioner or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding before you start taking Maltofer.
For more information on the importance of iron in pregnancy, please see our page on iron deficiency in pregnancy.
Does taking Maltofer with food decrease absorption?
No, not with Maltofer. In fact, iron absorption actually increases when Maltofer is taken with food.
Ferrous supplements are generally recommended to be taken on an empty stomach since some common foods can interfere with iron absorption of ferrous salts. This is true for even very simple foods, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, and milk.
Maltofer, on the other hand, can be taken at any time with food without affecting the absorption of iron. In fact, quite the opposite—studies have demonstrated that iron absorption with Maltofer actually increases when taken with food.
Is Maltofer suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
Yes, Maltofer is suitable for vegans and vegetarians as it contains no ingredients of animal origin.
