Ferrous Sulfate (Iron)

Conditions Treated

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.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

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/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].This medication may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Ferrous sulfate comes as regular, coated, and extended-release (long-acting) tablets; regular and extended-release capsules; and oral liquid (syrup, drops, and elixir) to take by mouth. 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.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

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

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking ferrous sulfate, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ferrous sulfate, any other medications tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and medications) or any of the ingredients in ferrous sulfate tablets, capsules, or liquid. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: chloramphenicol, cimetidine (Tagamet), levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet), methyldopa (Aldomet), penicillamine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects. 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. talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication and the proper dosage if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should only take lower doses of ferrous sulfate because higher doses may not be more effective than lower doses and are more likely to cause constipation.