Iron Supplements, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: nutritional supplement

Generic and brand names: ferrous fumarate, oral; ferrous gluconate, oral; ferrous sulfate, oral; iron supplements, oral; iron-polysaccharide, oral; Femiron; Feosol; Feostat; Fer-Gen-Sol; Fer-In-Sol; Fer-Iron; Feratab; Fergon; Ferretts; Ferro-Sequels; Fumasorb; Fumerin; Hemocyte; Hytinic; Ircon; Nephro-Fer; Nephro-Fer Rx; Niferex; Nu-Iron; Slow Fe

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat or prevent low blood levels of iron.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Too much iron or taking iron when you have certain conditions can cause serious problems. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• colitis or other intestinal disease
• hemochromatosis or hemolytic anemia
• liver disease
• problems with alcohol abuse
• ulcers.

Talk with your provider before taking iron if you have recently had a blood transfusion.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take the medicine with a full glass of water or fruit juice. If the medicine upsets your stomach, you may take it with food. Do not take it with milk products, eggs, coffee, tea, or whole-grain products. These foods reduce the effectiveness of iron.

Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while taking this medicine.

Iron supplements are available in different forms, such as tablets, capsules, and liquids. Do not crush or chew iron tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. If you are taking a liquid product, mix it with water or juice and drink it through a straw. Iron can stain your teeth. To remove any iron stains, brush your teeth with baking soda or peroxide.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

Be especially careful to keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Small amounts can poison children. If a child takes this medicine, or if an adult takes an overdose, call the poison control center right away.

Black stools are a common side effect of this medicine, and they are usually harmless. However, if you notice any blood in your stool and you have severe stomach pain or cramps, call your healthcare provider right away.

You may need to have blood tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Painful swallowing, blood in bowel movements, severe stomach cramps, bloody vomit.

Other: Constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, dark urine, nausea, stained teeth.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Doryx, Periostat, Vibramycin, Vibra-Tabs), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin), oxytetracycline (Terramycin), tetracycline (Sumycin, Tetrex), ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin) (take antibiotics 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine)
• antacids containing calcium or magnesium such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums (take 2 hours before or 4 hours after you take this medicine)
• ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in doses larger than 200 mg
• bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), and risedronate (Actonel) (take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine)
• calcium supplements (take 2 hours before or 4 hours after you take this medicine)
• chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin) (take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine)
• cimetidine (Tagamet) (take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine)
• levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) (take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine)
• levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levo-T, Levothroid)
• medicines to treat stomach acid such as omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (Protonix), and lansoprazole (Prevacid) (take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine)
• methyldopa (Aldomet) (take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine)
• penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) (take 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.