What is ferrous sulfate?
Ferrous sulfate is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. In your body,
iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin (HEEM o glo bin) and myoglobin (MY o glo bin).
Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle
cells store oxygen.
Ferrous sulfate is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by
having too little iron in the body).
Ferrous sulfate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ferrous sulfate?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or food dyes, or if
you have:
-
iron overload syndrome;
-
hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells);
-
porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms
affecting the skin or nervous system);
-
thalassemia (a genetic disorder of red blood cells);
-
if you are an alcoholic; or
-
if you receive regular blood transfusions.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take ferrous sulfate.
It is not known whether this medication could be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your
doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether ferrous sulfate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give ferrous sulfate to a child without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take ferrous sulfate?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not
use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Avoid taking antacids or antibiotics within 2 hours before or after taking ferrous sulfate .
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill
whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get
the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Ferrous sulfate can stain your teeth, but this effect is temporary. To prevent tooth staining, mix
the liquid form of ferrous sulfate with water or fruit juice (not with milk) and drink the mixture through a
straw. You may also clean your teeth with baking soda once per week to treat any tooth staining.
Ferrous sulfate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special
diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor.
You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat to make sure you get enough iron
from both your diet and your medication.
Store ferrous sulfate at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of ferrous sulfate?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ferrous sulfate?
Your pharmacist has information about ferrous sulfate written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ferrous sulfate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ferrous sulfate?
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have iron
overload syndrome, hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells), porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder
that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system), thalassemia (a genetic disorder of red
blood cells), if you are an alcoholic, or if you receive regular blood transfusions.
Avoid taking any other multivitamin or mineral product within 2 hours before or after you
take ferrous sulfate. Taking similar mineral products together at the same time can result in a mineral
overdose or serious side effects.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or
if anyone has accidentally swallowed it.
An overdose of iron can be fatal, especially in a
young child.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, coughing up
blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse, pale skin, blue
lips, and seizure (convulsions).
Take ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Avoid taking antacids or antibiotics within 2 hours before or after taking ferrous sulfate.
Ferrous sulfate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special
diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor.
You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat to make sure you get enough iron
from both your diet and your medication.
What should I avoid while taking ferrous sulfate?
Avoid taking any other multivitamin or mineral product within 2 hours before or after you
take ferrous sulfate. Taking similar mineral products together at the same time can result in a mineral
overdose or serious side effects.
Avoid taking an antibiotic medicine within 2 hours before or after you take ferrous sulfate. This
is especially important if you are taking an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), demeclocycline
(Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), levofloxacin (Levaquin),
lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), norfloxacin (Noroxin),
ofloxacin (Floxin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).
Certain foods can also make it harder for your body to absorb ferrous sulfate. Avoid taking this
medication within 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating fish, meat, liver, and whole grain or "fortified"
breads or cereals.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your
doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your
body to absorb ferrous sulfate.
What other drugs will affect ferrous sulfate?
The following drugs can interact with ferrous sulfate. Tell your doctor if you use any of these:
-
acetohydroxamic acid (Lithostat);
-
chloramphenicol;
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
etidronate (Didronel);
-
dimercaprol (an injection used to treat poisoning by
arsenic, lead, or mercury);
-
levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, Sinemet);
-
methyldopa (Aldomet); or
-
penicillamine (Cuprimine).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
ferrous sulfate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ferrous sulfate?