Ferrous Gluconate |
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Basic Information
Ferrous gluconate is 11.6% elemental iron.
Brand names:
Ferrous-Gluconate Capsules
Fergon(R)
Simron(R)
Ferrous-Gluconate Elixir
Fergon(R)
Ferrous-Gluconate Tablets
Apo-Ferrous Gluconate(R)
Fergon(R)
Feralet(R)
Fertinic(R)
Novoferrogluc(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Yes
NATURAL SOURCES
Bread, enriched
Cashews
Caviar
Cheddar cheese
Egg yolk
Garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
Lentils
Molasses, black-strap
Mussels
Pistachios
Pumpkin seeds
Seaweed
Walnuts
Wheat germ
Whole-grain products
NOTE: Even iron-rich foods are poorly absorbed by humans. Only
about 10% of food iron is absorbed from food consumed by an
individual with normal iron stores. However, an iron-deficient
person may absorb 20 to 30%.
REASONS TO USE
Prevents and treats iron-deficiency anemia due to dietary iron
deficiency or other causes.
Stimulates bone-marrow production of hemoglobin, the
red-blood-cell pigment that carries oxygen to body cells.
Forms part of several enzymes and proteins in the body.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Controls alcoholism.
Helps alleviate menstrual discomfort.
Stimulates immunity.
Boosts physical performance.
Prevents learning disorders in children.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Many women of child-bearing age are mildly iron-deficient even
when they get all their nutritional requirements.
Anyone with inadequate caloric or dietary intake or increased
nutritional requirements.
Older people (over 55 years).
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Women with heavy menstrual flow, long menstrual periods or
short menstrual cycles.
Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long
periods or who have recently undergone surgery.
Athletes and workers who participate in vigorous physical
activities.
Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically
removed.
Patients with recent severe burns or injuries.
Anyone who has lost blood recently, such as from heavy
menstrual periods or from an accident.
Vegetarians.
Infants from 2 to 24 months.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Listlessness
Heart palpitations upon exertion
Fatigue
Irritability
Pale appearance to skin
Cracking of lips and tongue
Difficulty swallowing
General feeling of poor health
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
None
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Red-blood-cell count
Microscopic exam of red blood cells
Serum iron
Hemoglobin determinations
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
RDA |
| 0-6 months |
10mg |
| 6-12 months |
15mg |
| 1-3 years |
15mg |
| 4-6 years |
10mg |
| 7-10 years |
10mg |
| MALES |
| 11-18 years |
18mg |
| 19+ years |
10mg |
| FEMALES |
| 11-50 years |
18mg |
| 51+ years |
10mg |
| Pregnant |
+30-60mg |
| Lactating |
+30-60mg |
What this mineral does:
Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, myoglobin and a
co-factor of several essential enzymes. Of the total iron in the
body, 60 to 70% is stored in hemoglobin (the red part of red
blood cells).
Hemoglobin is also a component of myoglobin, an iron-protein
complex in muscles. This complex helps muscles get extra energy
when they work hard.
Miscellaneous information:
Iron-deficiency anemia in older men is usually considered to
be due to slow loss of blood from a malignancy in the
gastrointestinal tract until proved otherwise.
Iron content of foods, especially acidic foods, can be
dramatically increased by preparation in iron cookware.
May require 3 weeks of treatment before you receive maximum
benefit.
Works best with vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Available as:
Capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with or immediately after food to decrease
stomach irritation.
Oral solution: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or other
liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Are allergic to any iron supplement.
Have acute hepatitis.
Have hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis (conditions involving
excess iron in body).
Have hemolytic anemia.
Have had repeated blood transfusions.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Plans to become pregnant while taking medication.
Had stomach surgery.
Had peptic-ulcer disease, enteritis, colitis.
Had pancreatitis or hepatitis.
Alcoholism.
Kidney disease.
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Intestinal disease.
Over age 55:
Deficiency more likely. Check frequently with doctor for
anemia symptoms or slow blood loss in stool.
Pregnancy:
Pregnancy increases need. Check with doctor. During first 3
months of pregnancy, take ONLY if doctor prescribes it.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
Supplements probably not needed if you are healthy and eat a
balanced diet.
Baby may need supplementation. Ask your doctor.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
May cause abnormal results in serum bilirubin, serum calcium,
serum iron, special radioactive studies of bones using
technetium (Tc 99m-labeled agents), stool studies for blood.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children. Iron tablets look like
candy, and children love them.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of mineral.
Others:
Iron can accumulate to harmful levels (hemosiderosis) in
patients with chronic kidney failure, Hodgkins disease,
rheumatoid arthritis.
Prolonged use in high doses can also cause hemochromatosis
(iron-storage disease), leading to bronze skin, diabetes, liver
damage, impotence, heart problems.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
EARLY SIGNS: Diarrhea with blood, severe nausea, abdominal
pain, vomiting with blood.
LATE SIGNS: Weakness, collapse, pallor, blue lips, blue hands,
blue fingernails, shallow breathing, convulsions, coma, weak,
rapid heartbeat.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle):
Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison
Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Abdominal pain |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Black or gray stools (always) |
Nothing. |
| Blood in stools |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Chest pain |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Drowsiness |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
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convenient. |
| Stained teeth (liquid forms) |
Mix with water or juice to |
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lessen effect. Brush teeth |
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with baking soda or hydrogen |
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peroxide to help remove stain. |
| Throat pain |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Allopurinol |
May cause excess iron storage in liver. |
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| Antacids |
Causes poor iron absorption. |
| Calcium |
Combination necessary for efficient calcium absorption. |
| Cholestyramine |
Decreases iron effect. |
| Copper |
Assists in copper absorption. |
| Iron supplements (other) |
May cause excess iron storage in liver. |
| Pancreatin |
Decreases iron absorption. |
| Penicillamine |
Decreases penicillamine effect. |
| Sulfasalazine |
Decreases iron effect. |
| Tetracyclines |
Decreases tetracycline effect. Take iron 3 hours before or 2 hours after taking tetracycline. |
| Vitamin C |
Increases iron effect. and hemoglobin formation. |
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Necessary for red-blood-cell and hemoglobin formation. |
| Vitamin E |
Decreases iron effect. |
| Zinc (large doses) |
Decreases iron absorption. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Alcohol increases iron utilization. May cause organ damage.
Avoid or use in moderation.
Beverages
Milk decreases iron absorption.
Tea decreases iron absorption.
Coffee decreases iron absorption.
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