Menstruating girls and women
Menorrhagia
Pregnancy, Child birth, Nursing
Pre-term infants and children with high growth needs
Poor diet
Dialysis during Chronic Kidney Disease
Post-gastric bypass or bariatric surgery
Following surgery or post trauma
Hookworm; intestinal parasites

FeraMAX® 150 is an oral iron supplement formulated with polysaccharides in a stable complex. It is manufactured by a specialized process whereby the iron is complexed with polysaccharides (starches/sugars). This complexation allows the iron to pass through the stomach relatively intact to the duodenum where it is absorbed via the specialized cells located in the distal part of the duodenum and is then delivered to the bloodstream bringing up the iron in circulation. Following which storage in the liver and the bone marrow.

• The contents of the capsule and the powder is dark brown in color; when dissolved in water forms a very dark brown solution.

• It is virtually tasteless and odorless.

• It is an organic complex and contains no free ions, also described as being non-ionic.

• Due to the polysaccharide coating (matrix) it is electrically neutral.

FeraMAX® 150 is positively charged and soluble at pH < 4.0. This solubility at low pH may be associated with improved absorption.

X-ray diffraction analysis shows that polysaccharide-iron complexes have a ferrihydrite (β-FeOOH) structure that closely resembles the structure of ferritin, the natural intracellular protein that binds iron in duodenal cells.

The fact that the polysaccharide-iron complex closely resembles endogenous carriers of iron could account for its high bioavailability and reduced side effects.

The patented formulation sets FeraMAX® 150 apart from all other oral iron supplements. It does not have a generic and cannot be substituted. The unique polydextrose delivery mechanism assures a more uniform molecular structure of the iron complex, leading to a more reproducible, reliable quality.

FeraMAX® 150 is manufactured in North America, in a US FDA and Health Canada- approved facility.

The new packaging and capsules take patient safety into consideration and help easy identification.

FeraMAX® 150 continues to deliver the same proven efficacy, and tolerability with the convenience of once daily dosing, and can be taken with or without food.

Vegan-certified and recognized by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. Gluten, lactose, alcohol-free.

FeraMAX® 150 capsules are Vegan Certified. The active ingredient is the innovative Polysaccharide-Iron Complex. The capsule is made of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) that is suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets.

This VegeCert logo proves that our product has been audited and inspected by inspectors from Kashruth Council of Canada (COR). These inspectors visit our manufacturing facilities to ensure that FeraMAX® conforms to VegeCert’s high standards.

FeraMAX® Powder does not contain any animal by-products, no alcohol (unlike syrups), no gluten or lactose.

Conventional iron supplements are ferrous (iron) salts, which release iron in the stomach. This is responsible for most side effects associated with iron therapy such as nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, constipation, diarrhea, dark stools, and bloating. Because of the side effects, patients might stop taking the iron salt. Stopping medication could lead to poor results and treatment failure.

Oral iron salt supplements contain 35 to 100 mg of elemental iron per capsule. Because of this low dose, in order to achieve treatment success, all such forms of oral iron need to be taken 2 to 3 times daily.

By contrast, FeraMAX® 150 liberates less ionic iron in the stomach compared to iron salts as it is less affected by the acidity in the stomach. It releases its ferric iron closer to the site of absorption in the duodenum. FeraMAX® 150 delivers an optimal dose of 150 mg of elemental iron per capsule, convenient for once-daily dosing, and helps patients stay with the treatment.

It is also Vegan Certified, and hence appropriate for all patients. Some iron supplements (with heme iron) contain animal products, and hence might be unsuitable for patients with dietary restrictions.

Polysaccharide-iron complex absorption occurs across the cell membrane in the duodenum, mediated by the transporter DMT-1. Once inside the enterocyte, iron can exit into the bloodstream and bind with transferrin or, if the body’s need for iron is met, the iron binds to ferritin inside the enterocyte which will eventually be eliminated. The transferrin-iron complex rapidly delivers iron to bone marrow and red blood cell precursors, where it is taken up by receptor-mediated endocytosis and used to form hemoglobin.

Extra iron is stored primarily in the liver, bone marrow, and to a lesser extent in the spleen.

FeraMAX® 150 delivers 150 mg of elemental iron per capsule – the highest dosage of bioavailable iron in an iron supplement. One capsule per day provides all of the iron necessary for treating iron deficiency and iron deficient anemia.

Most oral iron supplements are recommended to be taken on an empty stomach to maximize absorption; however this increases the likelihood of adverse side effects.

Due to the unique nature of the Polysaccharide-iron complex, its formulation and mode of absorption from the intestine, FeraMAX® 150 can be given with or without food.

It is recommended to take FeraMAX® 150 at the same time each day ideally in the morning since it is clinically proven to result in the best absorption.

Because FeraMAX® 150 is taken only once a day and is rapidly absorbed, it should be possible to safely adjust the dosage schedules and thereby minimize possible interaction in the gastric system. 

It is generally sufficient if the timing of the dose is adjusted to be taken a few hours before or after other medication. Use caution when taking FeraMAX® 150 with the following medications. Please check with your physician:

• Antacids
• Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline)
• Quinolines (e.g., cipro, floxin, levaquin, tequin)
• Chloramphenicol
• Pancreatic enzymes
• Thyroid hormones
• Alendronate
• Cefdinir
• Etidronate

Ferrous (iron) salt supplements have a number of unwanted side effects including nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and constipation. Because of these adverse effects, many users stop taking their supplements, which can lead to a rapid deterioration of their health. In contrast, most users of polysaccharide-iron complex (PIC) supplements report that they experience either very few or no side effects. 

This increases patient compliance with the supplement dosage and duration prescribed by their physician.

Compliance to iron therapy is very important, and you may need to continue taking iron supplements for 3-6 months after your hemoglobin levels have returned to normal, to build iron stores in the bone marrow. Consult your HCP prior to use and for prolonged use.

FeraMAX® 150 capsules can be cut open, and the contents mixed into a glass of water or sprinkled over soft foods. It is completely water soluble.

• Medicinal ingredient: Polysaccharide-iron complex
• Non-medicinal ingredients: carrageenan, D&C Red #28, D&C Yellow #10, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, FD&C Yellow #6, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, potassium chloride, and titanium dioxide.
• All ingredients used in FeraMAX® 150 are approved for use by the US FDA.

The colorants used in FeraMAX® capsules are approved by Health Canada and US FDA. All the colours have been tested rigorously to ensure that they are gluten free, and do not change any quality parameters including shelf life. The Product is released for use as per exacting standards of Health Canada.

FeraMAX® 150 does not contain lactose, gluten in its formulations. These are the most common ingredients that patients are concerned about. It does contain artificial coloring agents and trace amounts of sodium.

FeraMAX® 150 is available in a carton of 30 capsules. FeraMAX® Powder is available in a bottle of 83g or 41.5g. A scoop that measures out 15mg of elemental iron is provided in the carton. If you loose the scoop, you may also use a 1/4 teaspoon to measure out 15mg of elemental iron.

FeraMAX® is available across Canada and in select international markets. Check with your local pharmacy if FeraMAX(R) is available or write to us.

Store FeraMAX® in a cool dry place (between 15ºC and 30ºC), out of direct sunlight. Keep this and all medicines safely out of the reach of children.

Check with your pharmacist about the coverage for FeraMAX®. Every market has a different approach to covering oral iron supplements.