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Ferrous Sulfate

Basic Information

Ferrous sulfate is 20% elemental iron.
Brand names:
Ferrous-Sulfate Capsules
Feosol(R)
Fer-In-Sol(R)
Ferrous-Sulfate Enteric-Coated Tablets
Apo-Ferrous Sulfate(R)
Novoferrosulfa(R)
Ferrous-Sulfate Extended-Release Capsules
Ferralyn(R)
Fesofor(R)
Ferrous-Sulfate Extended-Release Tablets
Fero-Grad(R)
Fero-Gradumet(R)
Slow Fe(R)
Ferrous-Sulfate Elixir
Feosol(R)
Ferrous-Sulfate Oral Solution
Fer-In-Sol(R)
Fer-Iron(R)
Ferrous-Sulfate Syrup
Fer-In-Sol(R)
Ferrous-Sulfate Tablets
Feosol(R)
Fesofor(R)
Hematinic(R)
Mol-Iron(R)
PMS Ferrous Sulfate(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 20-30%.

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.
  • People 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:

  • Extended-release capsules or tablets: 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.
  • Enteric-coated tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of 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 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
    convenient.
    Stained teeth (liquid forms) Mix with water or juice to
    lessen effect. Brush teeth
    with baking soda or hydrogen
    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.
    Antacids Causes poor iron absorption.
    Calcium Combination necessary to
    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.
    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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