Sytron (sodium feredetate) for prevention of anaemia

This leaflet is about the use of Sytron (which may also be called
sodium feredetate) for the prevent anaemia (this is called anaemia
prophylaxis). A separate leaflet about the use of Sytron for the
treatment of anaemia is available on www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk.

Information Standard quality markThis leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Name of drug

Sodium feredetate
Brand name: Sytron®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

If the body has too little iron, it cannot make enough haemoglobin, which it needs to carry oxygen in the blood. Having too little haemoglobin is called anaemia. 

Babies are usually born with good stores of iron in their bodies but these can get used up if the iron is not replaced by iron in the diet. Babies that are born prematurely (early) and are only breastfed may not get enough iron in their diet and are at risk of getting anaemia, which could affect their growth and development.

Sytron contains lots of iron. It can help the baby’s body to make more haemoglobin and replace lost stores of iron. It is used to prevent anaemia from developing – this is sometimes called anaemia prophylaxis.

What is Sytron available as?

  • Liquid medicine: 190 mg (which is 27.5 mg iron) in 5 mL; this  medicine contains a small amount of alcohol

When should I give Sytron?

Sytron is usually given once each day. This can be in the morning OR the evening.
Give the medicine at about the same time each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of Sytron that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label. 

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give it?

Liquid medicine: Measure out the right amount an oral syringe or medicine spoon. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.
Do not give the medicine with a milk feed or with food containing milk or diary products. 

When should the medicine start working?

The medicine starts to work straight away but it takes some time to replace lost stores of iron. You will not see any difference in your child.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

  • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of Sytron, give them the same dose again.
  • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of Sytron, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you usually give it in the morning
Give the missed dose when you remember, as long as this is at least 12 hours before the next dose is due.

If you usually give it in the evening
Give the missed dose if you remember before bedtime. You do not need to wake your child up to give a missed dose. You can give the missed dose in the morning, as long as this is at least 12 hours before the evening dose is due.

Never give a double dose of Sytron.

What if I give too much? 

It may be dangerous to give too much Sytron. Never give your child more than the doctor has advised. 

If you child has one or more of the following symptoms, they may have had too much Sytron:

  • stomach pains 
  • being repeatedly sick (vomiting)
  • diarrhoea 
  • the vomit or stools (poo) may be blood stained, or be green or grey.

Children who have had too much Sytron might not show any symptoms, or only have mild symptoms. If you think you may have given your child too much Sytron, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647) or take your child to hospital.

If your child appears very unwell or drowsy call for an ambulance straight away. 

Take the medicine container or packaging with you, even if it is empty. This will be useful to the doctor. Have the medicine or packaging with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects? 

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

Side-effects you need to know about

  • When your child first starts having Sytron they may have stomach pain, feel sick or be sick (vomit) or they may get diarrhoea, wind (flatulence) or constipation (difficulty doing a poo). It may help to give each dose after some food. If these problems last longer than a week, contact your doctor.
  • Your child’s stool (poo) may look darker than usual. This is nothing to worry about.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as Sytron? 

  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
  • Sytron should not be given with any other medicines or vitamin preparations that contain iron. 
  • Try not to give the Sytron at the same time as a milk feed, as less of the medicine will be absorbed into the body.
  • Sytron should not be taken with some medicines that you get on prescription. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other medicines your child is taking before giving Sytron.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?

  • Your doctor and pharmacist will usually refer to this medicine by its brand name Sytron, rather than its scientific name sodium feredetate.
  • A separate leaflet about the use of Sytron for the treatment of anaemia is available on the Medicines for Children website.

General advice about medicines 

  • Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
  • If you are not sure a medicine is working, contact your doctor but continue to give the medicine as usual in the meantime. Do not give extra doses, as you may do harm.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm. 

If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor for advice.

  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where I should keep this medicine? 

  • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information 

Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will be able to give you more information about Sytron and other medicines used to prevent anaemia.


You can also get useful information from:


Publication Date

12/9/2011

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1, August 2011. © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved. Reviewed by: August 2013. 

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk.

We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.