Gafercal Tablet

Composition of Gafercal Tablet

Gafercal Tablet contains Methylcobalamin (500mcg) + Vitamin D3 (250IU) + Ferrous Ascorbate (100mg) + Zinc Sulphate (61.8mg) + Folic Acid (100mcg) + Calcium Citrate Malate (500mg). It belongs to the B-complex vitamin, Vitamin D / calcium supplement, Vitamin and mineral supplement and Antioxidant / trace element supplement class of medicines.

Uses of Gafercal Tablet

• This medicine is used in the treatment of vitamin b deficiency
• nerve pain and tingling
• anaemia
• tiredness due to deficiency
• vitamin d deficiency
• low calcium
• osteoporosis
• bone health
• nutritional deficiency
• dietary supplementation
• support during recovery and antioxidant supplementation.

Key benefits

• Corrects a deficiency that causes tiredness and nerve symptoms
• Supports the formation of healthy red blood cells
• Generally well tolerated
• Corrects a very common deficiency in India
• Supports bone strength and muscle function
• Reduces the risk of fractures when a deficiency is present
• Corrects a measured deficiency
• Supports normal body function
• Corrects dietary shortfalls
• Supports normal immune function

How Gafercal Tablet works

This medicine combines 6 active ingredients: Methylcobalamin, Vitamin d, Ferrous Ascorbate, Zinc Sulphate, Folic Acid and Calcium Citrate Malate. Methylcobalamin replaces a B vitamin your body needs to make red blood cells, to keep nerves healthy and to release energy from food. Vitamin d helps your gut absorb calcium and keeps the mineral level in your blood and bones where it should be. Ferrous Ascorbate supplies a vitamin, mineral or nutrient that your diet may not be providing in sufficient amount. Zinc Sulphate supplies a nutrient that helps protect body cells from everyday oxidative wear and supports normal immune function. Folic Acid replaces a B vitamin your body needs to make red blood cells, to keep nerves healthy and to release energy from food. Calcium Citrate Malate helps your gut absorb calcium and keeps the mineral level in your blood and bones where it should be.

How to take Gafercal Tablet

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break it unless your doctor has told you to. Take it with or after food. Taking it at about the same time each day helps you remember. Follow the dose and the duration written on your prescription.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is almost due, skip the one you missed — never take two doses together to catch up.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine is unlikely to cause serious harm, because the body passes surplus B vitamins out in the urine. It can raise blood calcium dangerously, causing thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, confusion and kidney damage. It can cause vomiting and stomach pain, and with iron can be dangerous, especially in children. It can cause vomiting, stomach pain and, with some minerals, damage over the longer term. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Gafercal Tablet

Most side effects of Gafercal are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Nausea
• Stomach upset
• Harmless bright yellow urine
• Loose motions
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Stomach discomfort
• Metallic taste

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Gafercal Tablet

Warnings and precautions

Tingling, numbness or burning in the hands and feet should be assessed by a doctor rather than self-treated — a supplement does not address the cause. Folic acid can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency while nerve damage continues, so B12 should be checked before taking folic acid long term. Bright yellow urine after a B-complex dose is expected and harmless. Do not take more than your doctor has advised. Vitamin D builds up in the body and too much raises blood calcium, causing thirst, frequent urination, nausea and confusion. High-dose weekly or monthly sachets are prescription strengths — do not repeat one because you missed a week. Tell your doctor if you have had kidney stones or have kidney disease. A supplement is not a substitute for a balanced diet or for treating the cause of a symptom. Iron makes stools black and can cause constipation — this is expected, but tell your doctor if it troubles you. Keep iron-containing products well out of reach of children; an overdose in a small child is a medical emergency. Check the labels of everything you take so you do not double up on the same nutrient. A supplement supports a normal diet; it does not prevent or treat infection. Zinc on an empty stomach commonly causes nausea — take it with food. Very high doses of vitamin A over a long period can be harmful, particularly in pregnancy. Do not take several products containing the same nutrient at once; the totals add up.

Do not take Gafercal if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Not for people with a high blood calcium level, or with certain kidney stones.

Interactions with other medicines

Long-term metformin, acid-reducing medicines and some anti-epileptics lower B12 or folate levels. Tell your doctor if you take levodopa, as vitamin B6 can reduce its effect. Calcium reduces the absorption of thyroid tablets, several antibiotics and iron — separate them by a few hours. Water tablets of the thiazide group raise calcium further when combined. Iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium reduce the absorption of thyroid tablets and several antibiotics — separate them by a few hours. Tea and coffee taken with iron reduce how much is absorbed; vitamin C increases it. Zinc and other minerals reduce the absorption of some antibiotics — separate them by a few hours. Tell your doctor if you take a blood thinner, as high-dose vitamin E can add to its effect.

How to store Gafercal Tablet

Store below 30°C in the original pack, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Expert advice for Gafercal Tablet

A supplement corrects a deficiency; it is not a general energy tonic. If you are on it for nerve symptoms, keep your review appointment so the underlying cause is looked for. Take calcium with food, and split the day's total if you take a large amount. Sunlight helps your body make its own vitamin D. Have your level rechecked as your doctor advises rather than continuing high doses indefinitely. Take it with food unless the pack says otherwise. Have deficiencies confirmed and rechecked by blood test rather than supplementing indefinitely. Take it with food to reduce nausea. A varied diet remains the best source of these nutrients.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

GATESBYBY PHARMA

Therapeutic class:

Vitamin supplement, Vitamin and mineral supplement and Nutritional supplement

Drug class:

B-complex vitamin, Vitamin D / calcium supplement, Vitamin and mineral supplement and Antioxidant / trace element supplement