IRON SUPPLEMENTS

Brand & Generic Names

Apo-Ferrous Gluconate	Hemocyte
Apo-Ferrous Sulfate	Hytinic
Femiron	Iberet
Feosol	Ircon
Feostat	IRON POLYSACCHARIDE
Fergon	Mol-Iron
Fer-in-Sol	Neo-Fer
Fer-Iron	Niferex
Fero-folic 500	Niferex-150
Fero-Grad	Novoferrogluc
Fero-Gradumet	Novoferrosulfa
Ferralet	Novofumar
Ferralyn	Nu-Iron
Ferra-TD	Nu-Iron 150
Ferrospace	Palafer
FERROUS FUMARATE	Palmiron
FERROUS GLUCONATE	PMS Ferrous Sulfate
FERROUS SULFATE	Poly-VI-Flor
Fertinic	Simiron
Fumasorb	Slow Fe
Fumerin	Span-FF
Geritol Tablets

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? With folic acid: Yes Without folic acid: No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Mineral supplement (Iron)

Uses

Treatment for dietary iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia from other causes.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet, capsule or syrup--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or food. Place medicine far back on tongue to avoid staining teeth.
Elixir--Dilute dose in beverage before swallowing and drink through a straw.

When to take:
1 hour or 2 hours after eating.

If you forget a dose:
Take up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Stimulates bone marrow's production of hemoglobin (red blood cell pigment that carries oxygen to body cells).

Time lapse before drug works:
3 to 7 days. May require 3 weeks for maximum benefit.

Don't take with:
Multiple vitamin and mineral supplements.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
> Moderate overdose--Stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, black stools, lethargy. > Serious overdose--Weakness and collapse; pallor, weak and rapid heartbeat; shallow breathing; convulsions and coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Weak, rapid heartbeat. Seek emergency treatment immediately. Always: Gray or black stool. No action necessary.

Common:

• Stained teeth with liquid iron.
• Abdominal pain.

Infrequent:

• Constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, vomiting.
• Fatigue, weakness.

Rare:

• Blue lips, fingernails, palms of hands; pale, clammy skin.
• Throat pain on swallowing, pain, cramps, blood in stool.
• Drowsiness.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any iron supplement or tartrazine dye.
• You take iron injections.
• You have acute hepatitis, hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis (conditions involving excess iron in body).
• You have hemolytic anemia.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you plan to become pregnant while on medication.
• If you have had stomach surgery.
• If you have had peptic ulcer, enteritis or colitis.

Over age 60:
May cause hemochromatosis (iron storage disease) with bronze skin, liver damage, diabetes, heart problems and impotence.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible. Take only if your doctor advises supplement during last half of pregnancy.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected. Take only if your doctor confirms you have a dietary deficiency or an iron-deficiency anemia.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision. Overdose common and dangerous. Keep out of children's reach.

Prolonged use:

• May cause hemochromatosis (iron storage disease) with bronze skin, liver damage, diabetes, heart problems and impotence.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), serum iron, total iron-binding capacity.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:

• Liquid form stains teeth. Mix with water or juice to lessen the effect. Brush with baking soda or hydrogen peroxide to help remove stain.
• Some products contain tartrazine dye. Avoid, especially if you are allergic to aspirin.
• May interfere with the accuracy of some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Acetohydroxamic acid	Decreased effects of both drugs.
Allopurinol	Possible excess iron storage in liver.
Antacids*	Poor iron absorption.
Chloramphenicol	Decreased effect of iron. Interferes
	with formation of red blood cells and
	hemoglobin.
Cholestyramine	Decreased iron effect.
Etidronate	Decreased etidronate effect. Take at
	least 2 hours after iron supplement.
Iron supplements,	Possible excess iron storage in liver.
Tetracyclines*	Decreased tetracycline effect. Take
	iron 3 hours before or 2 hours after
	taking tetracycline.
Vitamin E	Decreased iron and vitamin E effect.
Zinc supplements	Increased need for zinc.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased iron absorption. May cause
	organ damage. Avoid or use in
	moderation.
Milk, tea.	Decreased iron effect.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Dairy foods, eggs,	Decreased iron effect.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.