Autrin
Autrin is a capsule made by Pfizer that contains Iron + Vitamin B12 15 mcg + Folic acid 1.5 mg. It combines Iron: mineral, Vitamin B12: vitamin and Folic acid: vitamin.
| Ingredient (salt) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Iron (ferrous salts) | see pack |
| Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin) | 15 mcg |
| Folic acid | 1.5 mg |
Iron (ferrous salts)
What it is used for
Treats and prevents iron-deficiency anaemia.
How it works
Ferrous salts replace iron to make haemoglobin, treating iron-deficiency anaemia, which is very common in Indian women and children.
How to take it
Take on an empty stomach or with orange juice (vitamin C helps), not with tea, coffee or milk. If it upsets the stomach, take with food or every other day. Stools turn black, which is harmless. Continue 3 months after levels recover.
Common side effects
- Black stools
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
Get medical help straight away if
- Accidental swallowing of many tablets by a child (very dangerous
- Emergency)
- Dark stools with stomach pain or vomiting blood
Be careful
Can cause black stools and constipation; keep away from tea, coffee and calcium.
Other medicines and interactions
Antacids, calcium, PPIs, tea and coffee lower absorption. Iron reduces absorption of levothyroxine, quinolones, tetracyclines and levodopa; separate by 2 hours.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Commonly prescribed in pregnancy; safe while breastfeeding.
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin)
What it is used for
Treats B12 deficiency, which can cause tiredness, anaemia and tingling in hands and feet.
How it works
Needed for nerves and red blood cells. Deficiency is common in vegetarians, older people and those on metformin or long-term acid reducers. Methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin both work.
How to take it
Tablets once a day, or injections for severe deficiency or poor absorption. Nerve symptoms can take months to improve.
Common side effects
- Usually none
- Acne or rash rarely with injections
Get medical help straight away if
Allergic reaction to an injection
Be careful
Generally safe.
Other medicines and interactions
Metformin, PPIs and H2 blockers lower B12 absorption over time.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding; vegetarian mothers often need it.
Folic acid
What it is used for
Prevents and treats anaemia and protects the baby's spine in early pregnancy.
How it works
A B vitamin (B9) needed to make new cells and red blood cells. Taken before and in early pregnancy it prevents spinal birth defects.
How to take it
400 mcg a day from before conception until 12 weeks of pregnancy (5 mg if advised for higher risk). For anaemia, as prescribed.
Common side effects
Usually none
Get medical help straight away if
Allergic reaction (rare)
Be careful
Generally safe.
Other medicines and interactions
High doses can hide B12 deficiency. Methotrexate, phenytoin and some antibiotics interfere with folate.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Strongly recommended before and during early pregnancy; safe while breastfeeding.
Same ingredients, different strength or form
Most vitamin and herbal supplements in India are regulated as foods (FSSAI) and are not tested the way medicines are. More is not always better: check the dose on the pack, and tell your doctor about supplements you take.
Common questions
What is Autrin?
Autrin is a capsule by Pfizer containing Iron + Vitamin B12 15 mcg + Folic acid 1.5 mg.
What is Autrin used for?
Treats and prevents iron-deficiency anaemia. Treats B12 deficiency, which can cause tiredness, anaemia and tingling in hands and feet. Prevents and treats anaemia and protects the baby's spine in early pregnancy.
How should I take Autrin?
Take on an empty stomach or with orange juice (vitamin C helps), not with tea, coffee or milk. If it upsets the stomach, take with food or every other day. Stools turn black, which is harmless. Continue 3 months after levels recover. Tablets once a day, or injections for severe deficiency or poor absorption. Nerve symptoms can take months to improve. 400 mcg a day from before conception until 12 weeks of pregnancy (5 mg if advised for higher risk). For anaemia, as prescribed. Always follow the dose your doctor or the pack gives.
What are the side effects of Autrin?
Common side effects include: Black stools, constipation, nausea, stomach pain, Usually none, acne or rash rarely with injections, Usually none. Get medical help straight away for: Accidental swallowing of many tablets by a child (very dangerous, emergency), dark stools with stomach pain or vomiting blood, Allergic reaction to an injection, Allergic reaction (rare).
Does Autrin need a prescription?
It is sold as a supplement and does not need a prescription.
Can I take Autrin in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Commonly prescribed in pregnancy; safe while breastfeeding. Safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding; vegetarian mothers often need it. Strongly recommended before and during early pregnancy; safe while breastfeeding.
What are the substitutes for Autrin?
We have no other brand with exactly the same composition and strength in our list yet. Ask your pharmacist for an equivalent.
Sources and further reading
- Iron (ferrous salts): NHS · MedlinePlus
- Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin): NHS · MedlinePlus
- Folic acid: NHS · MedlinePlus
NHS (UK National Health Service) and MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) are free, reviewed medicine guides. Brand names and doses there may differ from India.
Composition checked against pack details from large Indian online pharmacies. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.
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