Drug Class: Comprehensive Prenatal Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement | Form: Oral Capsule | Pack Size: 30 Capsules | Prescription Status: Available Without Prescription (OTC) — DRAP Registered
What is Femicap Capsule?
Femicap by Geneva Pharmaceuticals is a meticulously formulated prenatal multivitamin capsule containing over 25 essential nutrients — vitamins, minerals, omega-3 DHA, active folate, and protective antioxidants — specifically selected to address the dramatically increased nutritional demands of pregnancy and the preconception period. Unlike standard multivitamins, Femicap uses Quatrefolic — the most bioavailable active 5-MTHF form of folate — rather than standard folic acid, ensuring adequate neural tube protection even in women with MTHFR gene mutations who cannot efficiently convert standard folic acid. The therapeutic 60mg Iron dose addresses pregnancy-related anaemia while DHA 20mg supports foetal brain and retinal development. Calcium and Magnesium together support foetal bone mineralisation, Zinc supports immune function and growth, and Lutein supports both maternal and foetal eye health. Femicap's comprehensive formulation makes it a genuine all-in-one prenatal supplement replacing the need for multiple separate supplements throughout pregnancy.
What is Femicap Used For?
- Preconception supplementation — building optimal nutrient reserves before conception (حمل سے پہلے غذائیت کی تیاری)
- Pregnancy nutritional support — meeting dramatically increased maternal and foetal micronutrient demands throughout all trimesters (حمل کے دوران غذائیت)
- Neural tube defect prevention — Quatrefolic active folate provides superior protection compared to standard folic acid (دماغ اور ریڑھ کی ہڈی کی پیدائشی خرابیوں کی روک تھام)
- Pregnancy-related anaemia prevention — therapeutic Iron 60mg corrects and prevents iron deficiency anaemia (حمل میں خون کی کمی کی روک تھام)
- Foetal brain and eye development — DHA and Lutein support neurological and retinal development
- Maternal fatigue reduction — B-Complex and Iron address energy depletion common in pregnancy (حمل کی تھکاوٹ میں کمی)
- Foetal bone development — Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Vitamin D3 support skeletal mineralisation
- Immune support — Zinc, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D3 maintain maternal immune function during pregnancy
How Does it Work?
Femicap's ingredients work across multiple complementary physiological pathways simultaneously. Quatrefolic 400mcg provides active 5-MTHF directly — bypassing the MTHFR conversion step required for standard folic acid — ensuring adequate DNA synthesis and neural tube closure in the critical first 28 days of pregnancy. Iron 60mg supports haemoglobin synthesis for the 40 to 50% increase in maternal blood volume during pregnancy and foetal iron stores. DHA 20mg is incorporated into foetal brain phospholipid membranes and retinal photoreceptors — supporting neurological development and visual acuity. Vitamin D3 4000 IU regulates calcium absorption and foetal bone mineralisation while supporting immune function. The complete B-Complex collectively drives energy metabolism enzymes throughout the demanding metabolic requirements of pregnancy. Zinc 11mg supports cell division, DNA synthesis, and foetal growth. Calcium 125mg and Magnesium 100mg together support foetal skeletal development and maternal cardiovascular health. Lutein 50mcg accumulates in foetal retinal tissue supporting photoreceptor development. Choline 1mg supports foetal brain development and placental function.
Dosage and Administration
⚠️ Take with food to improve Iron absorption tolerance and reduce nausea. Take at least 2 hours apart from antacids, calcium-only supplements, or dairy products which reduce Iron absorption. Vitamin D3 4000 IU is a therapeutic dose — do not combine with other high-dose Vitamin D supplements without medical guidance. Start at least 1 month before planned conception for maximum neural tube protection benefit.
Indication Usual Adult Dose Frequency Notes
Preconception supplementation
1 capsule
Once daily
Start minimum 1 month before conception
First trimester pregnancy
1 capsule
Once daily
Critical period for neural tube protection
Second and third trimester
1 capsule
Once daily
Continued Iron and DHA support
Postpartum and breastfeeding
1 capsule
Once daily
Replenishing delivery-related nutrient losses
Active Ingredients
Nutrient Strength per Capsule Primary Role
Vitamin A
1500mcg
Foetal organ development and immune function
Vitamin D3
4000 IU
Calcium absorption and foetal bone mineralisation
Vitamin C
90mg
Iron absorption enhancement and antioxidant protection
Vitamin E
15mg
Cellular antioxidant protection
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
1.4mg
Carbohydrate energy metabolism
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
1.6mg
Cellular energy production
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
16mg
NAD coenzyme synthesis and energy metabolism
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)
7mg
Coenzyme A formation and steroid synthesis
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
2mg
Protein metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
3mcg
DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation
Biotin
20mcg
Fatty acid synthesis and glucose metabolism
Quatrefolic (5-MTHF active folate)
400mcg
Neural tube closure and DNA synthesis
Choline
1mg
Foetal brain development and placental function
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
500mcg
Folate metabolism support
Iron
60mg
Haemoglobin synthesis and foetal iron stores
Zinc
11mg
Cell division, DNA synthesis, and immune function
Calcium Carbonate
125mg
Foetal skeletal mineralisation
Magnesium
100mg
Bone development and maternal cardiovascular health
Copper
1300mcg
Iron metabolism and connective tissue formation
Manganese
2mg
Bone formation and antioxidant enzyme function
Phosphorus
65mg
Skeletal and cellular energy metabolism
Potassium
10mg
Fluid balance and cardiac function
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
20mg
Foetal brain and retinal development
Lutein
50mcg
Foetal retinal photoreceptor development
Who Should NOT Take Femicap?
- Allergy to any vitamin, mineral, DHA, or any excipient component of the capsule
- Hypervitaminosis A — existing Vitamin A toxicity; high-dose Vitamin A is teratogenic above 3000mcg daily — Femicap's 1500mcg is within safe limits but avoid combining with other Vitamin A sources
- Hypervitaminosis D — existing Vitamin D toxicity; 4000 IU is a therapeutic dose — do not combine with other high-dose Vitamin D supplements without medical monitoring
- Haemochromatosis or iron overload disorders — therapeutic 60mg Iron contraindicated in iron overload
- Hypercalcaemia — Calcium and high-dose Vitamin D3 combination may worsen elevated calcium
- Wilson's disease — Copper supplementation contraindicated
- Severe kidney impairment — multiple mineral accumulation risk; use only under nephrologist guidance
Side Effects
Femicap is generally well tolerated at recommended once-daily dosing. Most side effects relate to the therapeutic Iron 60mg dose.
Common: Nausea and stomach discomfort from Iron component — significantly reduced by taking with food (معدے کی تکلیف — کھانے کے ساتھ لینے سے کم ہوتی ہے), constipation from therapeutic Iron dose — increase water and fibre intake (قبض — پانی زیادہ پیئیں), dark green or black stools from Iron — completely harmless and expected (پاخانے کا رنگ گہرا — بے ضرر اور متوقع), mild nausea from DHA component particularly in first trimester, urine discolouration to bright yellow from Riboflavin B2 — harmless.
Serious — Seek medical attention if: Severe allergic reaction — sudden widespread rash, swelling of face or throat, difficulty breathing (فوری ہسپتال جائیں), signs of Vitamin D toxicity with prolonged use alongside other D supplements — excessive thirst, frequent urination, weakness, and confusion (فوری ڈاکٹر کو بتائیں), signs of Vitamin A toxicity — severe headache, nausea, blurred vision, and skin peeling (فوری ڈاکٹر کو بتائیں), significant worsening of constipation with abdominal pain requiring medical assessment.
Drug Interactions
Medicine Interaction
Antacids containing calcium / magnesium / aluminium
Significantly reduce Iron absorption — take Femicap at least 2 hours before or after antacids
Calcium-only supplements
Additional calcium reduces Iron absorption — take at least 2 hours apart from Iron-containing Femicap
Tetracycline / Doxycycline antibiotics
Iron and Zinc significantly reduce antibiotic absorption — take at least 2 hours apart
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin)
Iron and Zinc reduce fluoroquinolone absorption — take at least 2 hours apart
Levothyroxine (thyroid medicine)
Iron significantly reduces Levothyroxine absorption — take at least 4 hours apart
Levodopa (Parkinson's medicine)
Pyridoxine B6 may reduce Levodopa effectiveness without Carbidopa — consult neurologist
Antiepileptics (Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Valproate)
May reduce folate levels — supplementation important; however Folic Acid can reduce antiepileptic blood levels
Warfarin
Vitamin E and Vitamin K interactions possible — INR monitoring recommended
Other Vitamin A or D supplements
Avoid combining high-dose supplements — cumulative toxicity risk particularly for Vitamin A in pregnancy
Metformin
Long-term use reduces B12 absorption — Femicap's B12 helps partially offset this depletion
Storage:
Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and direct sunlight. Keep in original packaging. Keep out of reach of children (بچوں کی پہنچ سے دور رکھیں). Do not use after expiry date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why does Femicap use Quatrefolic rather than standard Folic Acid for neural tube protection?
Standard folic acid requires conversion by the MTHFR enzyme to become biologically active — up to 40% of women have reduced MTHFR activity due to genetic variation and cannot convert folic acid efficiently. Quatrefolic provides 5-MTHF — the already active form — bypassing this conversion entirely and ensuring adequate neural tube protection regardless of MTHFR status. This makes Femicap superior to supplements using standard folic acid for women who may unknowingly have impaired folate conversion.
Q: When should Femicap be started for maximum pregnancy benefit?
Start Femicap at least one month — ideally three months — before planned conception. Neural tube closure occurs in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. Starting supplementation before conception ensures adequate active folate tissue levels are present from the very earliest days of foetal development when they are most critically needed. Continue throughout pregnancy and postpartum during breastfeeding.
Q: Does the high Iron dose in Femicap cause constipation and how can this be managed?
Therapeutic Iron 60mg commonly causes constipation — this is a known and expected side effect of iron supplementation at this dose. Increasing daily water intake to at least 8 glasses, consuming adequate dietary fibre through fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and maintaining gentle physical activity such as walking all significantly help manage Iron-related constipation during pregnancy. If constipation remains problematic despite these measures consult your obstetrician for safe pregnancy-appropriate management options.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your obstetrician or pharmacist before starting any prenatal supplement, particularly if you have underlying health conditions or are taking prescription medicines