Iron supplement and vitamin (haematinic)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
This is a combination of iron (ferrous fumarate) and folic acid — two important nutrients your body needs to make healthy red blood cells and prevent or treat anaemia (low blood level).
Replenishes ferrous iron stores essential for haemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport, while folic acid acts as a coenzyme in DNA synthesis and cell division, restoring erythropoiesis and correcting megaloblastic anaemia.
Available Over The Counter
Get this from any pharmacy or chemist — no prescription needed.
Explore this drug
For adults, the usual dose is 1 tablet once or twice daily, depending on your doctor's advice. Take it with water, preferably on an empty stomach for better absorption. If it upsets your stomach, you can take it with food. Avoid taking it with tea, coffee, or milk as these reduce absorption.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal schedule. Do not take two tablets at once to make up for it.
Buy only from reputable pharmacies — avoid roadside sellers or unregistered market vendors, as fake blood tonics are common in Nigeria. Do not take more than the recommended dose thinking it will build your blood faster — too much iron can be dangerous. Keep this drug far away from children, as accidental iron overdose is a leading cause of poisoning in young children.
Avoid taking it at the same time as antacids (like magnesium trisilicate or aluminium hydroxide) — wait at least 2 hours between them. Tetracycline and ciprofloxacin antibiotics should not be taken together with this drug as they block each other's absorption — space them at least 2 hours apart. Tea, coffee, and milk reduce iron absorption, so avoid them around the time you take your tablet.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Ferrous with your other drugs?
This drug is commonly prescribed and generally safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding — in fact, it is routinely given to pregnant women in Nigeria to prevent anaemia and support the baby's development.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — Nigerian weather can be hot, so avoid leaving it on windowsills or in your car. Keep the container tightly closed and far from children's reach, as iron overdose in children can be very dangerous.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.