What is ferrous sulfate and folic acid?
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.
Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent
changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.
Ferrous sulfate and folic acid is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood
cells caused by having too little iron in the body).
Ferrous sulfate and folic acid 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 and folic acid?
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.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take ferrous sulfate and folic acid.
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 and folic acid 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 this medication to a child without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take ferrous sulfate and folic acid?
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 this medication 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 the extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill
whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
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 and folic acid 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 and folic acid from both your diet and your medication.
Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of ferrous sulfate and folic acid?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ferrous sulfate and folic acid?
Your pharmacist has information about ferrous sulfate and folic acid written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ferrous sulfate and folic acid?
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.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these
serious side effects:
Less serious side effects may include:
-
diarrhea;
-
constipation;
-
nausea, vomiting, heartburn;
-
leg pain; or
-
darkened skin or urine color.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ferrous sulfate and folic acid?
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.
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).
Do not give ferrous sulfate to a child without the advice of a doctor.
Take ferrous sulfate and folic acid 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 and folic acid.
Ferrous sulfate and folic acid 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 and folic acid from both your diet and your medication.
What should I avoid while taking ferrous sulfate and folic acid?
Do not take any vitamin or mineral supplements that your doctor has not prescribed or
recommended.
Avoid taking an antibiotic medicine within 2 hours before or after you take ferrous sulfate
and folic acid. This is especially important if you are taking an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin
(Cipro), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin
(Levaquin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or sparfloxacin (Zagam).
Certain foods can also make it harder for your body to absorb this medication. 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 and folic acid?
Before using ferrous sulfate and folic acid, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following drugs:
-
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 and folic acid. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and
drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your
doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of ferrous sulfate and folic acid?