Ferrous Sulfate (Iron) (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING

Accidental overdose of products containing iron is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under the age of 6. Keep this product out of the reach of children. In case of an accidental overdose, call your doctor or a poison control center immediately.

Why this medication is prescribed

Ferrous sulfate provides the iron needed by the body to produce red blood cells. It is used to treat or prevent iron-deficiency anemia, a condition that occurs when the body has too few red blood cells because of pregnancy, poor diet, excess bleeding, or other medical problems.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used

Ferrous sulfate comes in regular, coated, and extended-release (long-acting) tablets; regular and extended-release capsules; and oral liquid (syrup, drops, and elixir). Ferrous sulfate usually is taken three times a day between meals. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ferrous sulfate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Although symptoms of iron deficiency usually improve within a few days, you may have to take ferrous sulfate for 6 months if you have severe iron deficiency.

This medication should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

Ferrous sulfate drops come with a special dropper for measuring the dose. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use it. The drops may be placed directly in the mouth or mixed with water or fruit juice (not with milk).

Do not crush or chew regular, coated, or extended-release tablets, and do not open regular or extended-release capsules; swallow them whole.

Special precautions

Before taking ferrous sulfate:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ferrous sulfate, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially chloramphenicol, cimetidine (Tagamet), levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet), methyldopa (Aldomet), penicillamine, and vitamins. If you also are taking cinoxacin (Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), demeclocycline, doxycycline, enoxacin (Penetrex), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), methacycline, minocycline, nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), oxytetracycline, sparfloxacin (Zagam), or tetracycline, take it 3 hours after or 2 hours before taking ferrous sulfate. Do not take antacids at the same time as ferrous sulfate; take them as far apart as possible.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had ulcers, colitis, or intestinal disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ferrous sulfate, call your doctor.

Special dietary instructions

Fish, meat (especially liver), and fortified cereals and breads are good dietary sources of iron; emphasize them in a well-balanced diet.

What to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects

Ferrous sulfate may cause side effects. Your stools will turn dark; this effect is harmless. Your teeth may stain from the liquid; mix each dose with water or fruit juice. You may clean your teeth once a week by rubbing them with a small amount of baking soda.

Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or does not go away:

• constipation
• stomach upset

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to ferrous sulfate.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

• Feosol®
• Feosol® Caplets
• Feostat®
• Feratab®
• Fer-Gen-Sol® Drops
• Fergon®
• Fer-In-Sol® Drops
• Ferrex®-150
• Fe-Tinic® 150
• Hemocyte®
• Hytinic®
• Icar® Pediatric
• Ircon®
• Mol-Iron®
• Nephro-Fer®
• Niferex®
• Niferex® Elixir
• Niferex®-150
• Slow FE®

Brand names of combination products

• Ferro-DSS® Caplets® containing Ferrous Fumarate and Docusate Sodium
• Ferro-Sequels® containing Ferrous Fumarate and Docusate Sodium
• Ferrous Fumarate with DSS® Timed Capsules containing Ferrous Fumarate and Docusate Sodium