Why Ferro-grad C® is a first-line treatment for iron deficiency

We explain what a first-line treatment is and why Ferro-grad C® is an excellent first choice

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What does first-line mean?

You may have heard that Ferro-grad C® is a first-line treatment for medically diagnosed iron deficiency where an oral supplement is recommended.1,2 But what does first-line treatment actually mean?
The Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary describes first-line as first choice.3 This means Ferro-grad C® can be a first-choice oral iron treatment for you.

Why Ferro-grad C® is first-line

Ferro-grad C® contains modified release Ferrous sulfate, which provides 105mg of elemental iron per tablet. According to the Australian treatment guidelines, this is an appropriate daily therapeutic oral dose for an adult to treat diagnosed iron deficiency.1
In line with the guidelines, your healthcare professional may recommend Ferro-grad C® as soon as you are medically diagnosed with iron deficiency.
You would not usually take a second-line oral treatment, like one that contains iron polymaltose2, unless your healthcare professional believes there is a reason you shouldn’t take a first-line option or until you have tried a first-line option.
By the way, Ferro-grad C® also contains vitamin C, which helps your body absorb iron.4,5

Check out: Iron: an essential part of a healthy diet and How vegetarians and vegans can meet their iron needs


Other reasons to choose Ferro-grad C® first

  • One convenient tablet a day.4
  • Modified release formulation using Gradumet technology to prevent all the iron supplement from going into your stomach at the same time. This means Ferro-grad C® is designed to be better tolerated for your digestive system compared to immediate-release ferrous sulfate, and may help prevent unwanted side effects.6,7,8
  • Australia’s top-selling, first-choice therapeutic oral iron supplement.9

First things first

While we are on the subject of firsts, remember that the first thing you should do is see your GP if you are concerned about iron deficiency. Iron treatment is not something you should attempt on your own.

Your doctor will send you for a simple blood test to check your iron levels and recommend appropriate treatment based on your results.

References:

  1. Iron Deficiency. In eTG complete [Internet]. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; March 2017. Available at:http://online.tg.org.au/complete/ Accessed October 2020].
  2. Oral Iron polymaltose. ARTG 229647. 2014.
  3. Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary [internet]. Springfield MA, Merriam-Webster https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical Accessed Aug 2021
  4. Ferro-grad C Product Label. Viatris.
  5. Brise H & Hallberg L. Acta Med Scand 1962;171 (Suppl 376):51–8. (Funded by Viatris)
  6. Webster JJ Current Therapeutic Research 4(4) Aor 1962 130-134 (Funded by Viatris)
  7. Blair H & Blair C J. Coll Gen Pract 1967 Jan; 13(1): 117-121 (Funded by Viatris)
  8. Morrison J et al Med J Aust 1977 1: 482-484 (Funded by Viatris)
  9. IMS sales data June 2021

FGC-2021-0078. August 2021

#Most widely used brand of therapeutic oral iron supplement, based on cumulative total of IQVIA sales data in the last 10 years.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
For use when you have been diagnosed as iron deficient and your doctor has recommended a therapeutic oral iron supplement.

Ferro-grad C contains ferrous sulfate 325 mg (equivalent to 105 mg elemental iron) and sodium ascorbate 562.4 mg (equivalent to 500 mg Vitamin C).

Ferro-grad C is a Viatris trademark. Copyright © 2022 Viatris Inc. All rights reserved. Viatris Pty Ltd. Level 1, 30-34 Hickson Road, Millers Point NSW 2000. Tel 1800 314 527. FGC-2022-0047. Prepared April 2022.