Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional disorders in the world, affecting as many as 25 percent of people globally. Taking daily iron supplements can be an important part of managing iron deficiency anemia, although your doctor may also recommend boosting your iron intake by eating more iron-rich foods.
Most people get all the iron they need from food. But when you have iron deficiency anemia, your levels are too low to meet your nutritional needs. The benefit of iron supplements is that you can get the iron your body needs with an easy-to-take, high-dose tablet or liquid. Iron supplements have more iron than you find in a multivitamin, and your doctor can monitor the dose you take. If your body has difficulty absorbing iron from food, a supplement can help you get the dose you need of this essential nutrient.
Oral iron supplements are the most common treatments for anemia. You can take them as a pill, a liquid, or as a salt. You can find a variety of different types, including :. High doses of oral iron supplements may lead to GI symptoms such as:. Intravenous iron can cause a hypersensitivity reaction HSR. People may experience a mild, moderate, or severe HSR:.
The dosage for iron supplements varies from person to person. Some preliminary research suggests that taking iron supplements every other day — rather than daily — may be just as effective, if not more effective, than taking the supplements daily 22 , Your healthcare provider will be able to provide a more specific and personalized recommendation regarding how much ferrous sulfate to take and how often, depending on your blood iron levels and personal circumstances.
Certain foods and nutrients, such as calcium, zinc, or magnesium, might interfere with iron absorption and vice versa. Therefore, some people try to take ferrous sulfate supplements on an empty stomach for the greatest absorption 14 , 24 , However, taking ferrous sulfate supplements — or any other iron supplement — on an empty stomach may cause stomach pain and distress.
As such, healthcare providers generally recommended taking ferrous sulfate supplements with a meal. Try taking ferrous sulfate supplements with meals that are low in calcium and do not include beverages that are high in phytates , such as coffee and tea 14 , On the other hand, vitamin C may increase the amount of iron absorbed from ferrous sulfate supplements.
Taking ferrous sulfate together with vitamin-C-rich juice or food might help your body absorb more iron 14 , 27 , There are many different forms of ferrous sulfate supplements on the market.
Most are oral tablets, though liquid drops are also available. Always check with your healthcare provider before deciding how much ferrous sulfate to take.
Side effects from ferrous sulfate supplements are fairly common The side effects people report most often are various types of gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and dark or discolored stools 14 , Some people have also reported experiencing heartburn after taking the supplements People taking ferrous sulfate commonly report side effects like nausea, heartburn, and abdominal pain.
Furthermore, iron supplements may interact with certain medications, including antacids and proton pump inhibitors. Ferrous sulfate is safe if you take it as a qualified healthcare provider has prescribed. However, this compound — and any other iron supplement — can be toxic in large amounts, especially in children 6 , Some symptoms that may result from taking too much ferrous sulfate are coma, convulsions, organ failure, and even death 6. Ferrous sulfate supplements may be toxic and even deadly in large amounts.
Never take more than the dosage recommended by your healthcare provider, and always keep the supplements out of reach of children. Ferrous sulfate is an iron salt that the body absorbs well. People commonly use it as an iron supplement to maintain normal blood iron levels or treat iron deficiency, including anemia. Certain groups of people, including women, frequent blood donors, and people with a chronic disease, are at a greater risk of iron deficiency.
They may benefit most from ferrous sulfate supplements. Ferrous sulfate is used to treat iron deficiency anemia a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body.
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. Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. 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. Measure the liquid with a special dose-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. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at , especially if a child has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of ferrous sulfate can be fatal to a child. There are modified-release tablets and capsules of ferrous sulfate, but they may not be absorbed as well.
Most adults and some children aged 12 years and over can take ferrous sulfate under the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before taking ferrous sulfate if you:. If you or your child are prescribed ferrous sulfate, follow a doctor's instructions about how and when to take it.
The dose of ferrous sulfate depends on why you're taking it and whether you have tablets, capsules or drops. For children under the age of 18 years, the doctor will use your child's age, weight and blood results to work out the right dose. Ferrous sulfate works best when you take it on an empty stomach. However, if it upsets your stomach, you can take it with or after food. A doctor or a pharmacist may recommend taking ferrous sulfate with orange juice or a vitamin C supplement. Vitamin C is believed to increase the amount of iron absorbed by the body.
Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not suck, chew or keep the tablet in your mouth as this can cause mouth ulcers or stain your teeth. Do not take it with tea, coffee, eggs, dairy products and soybean products, as they can reduce the amount of iron that gets into your system. When you take ferrous sulfate or when you eat foods that are high in iron , leave a 2-hour gap before having these foods or drinks.
If you're taking ferrous sulfate as drops, it will come with a plastic syringe or dropper to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask a pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give you the right amount of medicine. If you forget a dose, take another as soon as you remember.
If it's almost time to take the next dose, then do not take the missed dose at all. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.
You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicine. Get someone else to drive you, or call an ambulance. In rare cases it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to ferrous sulfate.
You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. Speak to a doctor, who'll be able to explain the benefits and the risks of taking ferrous sulfate when pregnant. They can help you decide on the best treatment for you and your baby.
If you are pregnant and taking iron supplements, you can often become constipated or develop piles haemorrhoids. If this happens to you, talk to a doctor.
They can advise you on the best way to deal with constipation or haemorrhoids. However, some of the medicine may pass into your breast milk. This is in small amounts and is unlikely to harm your baby. Talk to a doctor if you want to breastfeed while taking ferrous sulfate. They can advise you on what's best for you and your baby.
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding. There are some medicines that may interfere with how ferrous sulfate works.
Ferrous sulfate can also affect the way other medicines work. It is a good idea to leave a gap between taking the other medicine and ferrous sulfate.
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