Maltofer Plus Folic Acid Chewable Tablet

Maltofer Plus Folic Acid Chewable Tablet is a combination oral supplement manufactured by Vifor Pharma that pairs iron, in the form of iron (III) hydroxide polymaltose complex, with folic acid in a single chewable tablet. As with plain Maltofer, the iron is presented as a non-ionic, ferric polymaltose complex rather than a conventional ferrous iron salt, and each tablet is typically formulated to provide iron equivalent to 100mg of elemental iron alongside a small, standardised amount of folic acid, as stated on the product’s package insert.

The tablet is chewable rather than swallowed whole, and is commonly flavoured (such as chocolate flavour) to make regular use more manageable, particularly for people who find liquid iron formulations or hard-to-swallow tablets inconvenient. It is sold in a 30-tablet pack in Malaysia and belongs to the product class of combined iron and folic acid oral supplements, distinct from single-ingredient iron-only or folic-acid-only products.

Maltofer Plus Folic Acid Chewable Tablet is classified as an OTC (Over-the-Counter) supplement and can be purchased in Malaysia without needing a doctor’s prescription, though anyone considering iron and folic acid supplementation is encouraged to confirm with a doctor or pharmacist first that this combination, rather than a single-ingredient product, is appropriate for their situation.

Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing, or allow it to dissolve in the mouth, taking it during or immediately after a meal as this is the manufacturer’s recommended approach for iron polymaltose complex products. If preferred, the tablet can be crushed and mixed into a small amount of food or a drink immediately before taking it.

Avoid taking this tablet at the same time as tea, coffee, dairy products, or wholegrain cereals, as these may reduce iron absorption; where practical, leave a gap of at least one to two hours. Do not take this tablet together with other oral or injectable iron-containing products, or with separate folic acid supplements, unless specifically advised by a doctor, to avoid unintentionally duplicating either ingredient.

Dosing for combined iron and folic acid polymaltose products depends on the degree of iron deficiency, body weight, age, and the specific clinical reason for use (for example, general supplementation versus a doctor-confirmed deficiency), and Malaysian and other regional product information can differ on details such as the minimum age for use — for this reason, the exact number of tablets and duration of use should always be confirmed against the printed package insert or a doctor’s or pharmacist’s specific advice rather than a generic figure.

As general guidance only, adults are typically directed toward one tablet daily, with a higher number of tablets sometimes used under medical supervision for more significant iron deficiency, continued for a period of weeks to months until blood iron parameters normalise, as advised by the prescriber. If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it is close to the next scheduled dose, in which case skip the missed dose rather than doubling up. Speak to a doctor if there is no improvement in symptoms of iron deficiency after several weeks of use as directed.

Use this product before the expiry date printed on the blister strip and outer carton. Once the blister pack is opened, use the remaining tablets within the timeframe stated on the packaging, and do not use a tablet if its appearance has changed noticeably from when it was new.

Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and away from excessive humidity, such as a bathroom cabinet. Keep tablets in their original blister packaging until ready to use, and keep well out of the reach and sight of children, as iron and folic acid tablets can look like sweets to a young child and an overdose is a genuine medical emergency.

• Common: Discoloured (dark) stools, an expected and harmless effect of oral iron.
• Common: Mild gastrointestinal effects such as nausea, bloating, abdominal discomfort, or constipation.
• Common: Diarrhoea in some individuals.
• Uncommon: A metallic or altered taste in the mouth.
• Serious: Allergic reactions such as rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing, which require prompt medical attention.

• Known hypersensitivity to iron polymaltose complex, folic acid, or any excipient in the formulation.
• Iron overload conditions, such as haemochromatosis or haemosiderosis.
• Anaemia not caused by iron or folate deficiency, unless a genuine deficiency has been confirmed.
• Undiagnosed anaemia that has not been assessed by a doctor, since folic acid can mask the blood-count changes of an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency while allowing associated nerve damage to progress unnoticed.

• Do not take together with parenteral (injectable) iron preparations, as this can lead to excess iron accumulation.
• Tea, coffee, dairy products, and wholegrain cereals may reduce iron absorption if consumed at the same time as this tablet; space them at least one to two hours apart where practical.
• Certain anticonvulsant medicines, such as phenytoin, may have their blood levels reduced by folic acid, and folic acid can also interact with methotrexate; check with a doctor or pharmacist before combining this product with either type of medicine.
• Do not take together with other iron-containing or folic-acid-containing multivitamins or supplements unless specifically advised by a doctor, to avoid unintentionally duplicating either ingredient.

• Chew the tablet fully, or let it dissolve, rather than swallowing it whole without chewing.
• Take it with or right after a meal rather than on an empty stomach.
• Keep track of how many tablets you have taken if more than one person in the household is on iron supplementation, to avoid confusion.
• Do not be alarmed by dark-coloured stools while taking this product, as this is an expected and harmless effect of oral iron.
• Check the label of any other multivitamin or supplement you take to avoid unintentionally doubling up on iron or folic acid.
• Store the blister strip somewhere children cannot reach, as the tablets can be mistaken for sweets.

Precautions: Confirm with a doctor that an actual iron and/or folate deficiency has been diagnosed before starting supplementation, particularly since folic acid can mask the blood-count signs of an underlying vitamin B12 deficiency, potentially allowing associated nerve damage to progress if the real cause of anaemia is not identified. Women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, and anyone with a personal or family history of anaemia, are encouraged to seek a doctor’s guidance on the appropriate product and dose. Keep this product well out of reach of children, as the chewable, flavoured tablets can be mistaken for sweets, and accidental iron overdose in a child is a medical emergency.

When to See a Doctor or Pharmacist: Speak with a doctor if symptoms of iron deficiency, such as persistent tiredness or paleness, do not improve after several weeks of taking this tablet as directed, or if you experience severe stomach pain, black tarry stools with other worrying symptoms, or signs of an allergic reaction. Seek emergency care immediately if a child has swallowed tablets outside of a supervised, prescribed dose.