Type of medicine: nutritional supplement
Generic and brand names: ferrous fumarate, oral; ferrous gluconate, oral; ferrous sulfate, oral; carbonyl iron, oral; iron supplements, oral; iron-polysaccharide, oral; Femiron; Feosol; Fer-In-Sol; Fer-Iron; Ferate; Fergon; Ferretts; Ferrex; Ferro-Sequels; Hemocyte; IFerex; Niferex; Nu-Iron; Poly-Iron; Slow Fe; Tandem-F (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat or prevent low blood levels of iron.
Too much iron or taking iron when you have certain conditions can cause serious problems. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking this medicine if you have ever had:
Talk with your provider before taking iron if you have recently had a blood transfusion.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take the medicine with a full glass of water or fruit juice. If the medicine upsets your stomach, you may take it with food. Do not take it with milk products, eggs, coffee, tea, or whole-grain products. These foods reduce the effectiveness of iron.
Iron supplements and other medicines may not work properly if you take them at the same time. You may need to take your iron supplement several hours before or after other medicines. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.
Do not drink large amounts of alcohol while taking this medicine.
Iron supplements are available in different forms, such as tablets, capsules, and liquids. Do not crush or chew iron tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. If you are taking a liquid product, mix it with water or juice and drink it through a straw. Use the measuring device given to you by the pharmacist or provided in the medicine package to make sure you get the right dose of the medicine.
Iron can temporarily stain your teeth. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: extreme drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, vomiting blood, blood in bowel movements, lack of urination, yellowing of skin or eyes, severe stomach pain, coma.
Be especially careful to keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Small amounts can poison children. If a child takes this medicine, or if an adult takes an overdose, call the poison control center right away.
Black stools are a common side effect of this medicine, and they are usually harmless. However, if you notice any blood in your stool and you have severe stomach pain or cramps, call your healthcare provider right away.
You may need to have blood tests to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider): Painful swallowing, blood in bowel movements, severe stomach cramps, severe constipation, bloody vomit.
Other: Constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, dark urine, dark stools, nausea, stained teeth.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Ask your provider or pharmacist if you need to take your iron supplement several hours before or after other medicines.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
