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| Pronunciation |
|
 (FER
us SUL
fate) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Feratab®[OTC]; Fer-Gen-Sol [OTC];
Fer-In-Sol®[OTC]; Fer-Iron®[OTC]; Slow
FE®[OTC] |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Iron Salt |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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If you have an allergy to ferrous sulfate or any other part of this
medicine.
Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
If you have any of the following conditions: Anemia from a cause
other than low iron stores, too much iron in your body, or
thalassemia. |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
This medicine is used to prevent or treat anemia caused by low iron
stores.
Iron is usually recommended during pregnancy to prevent
anemia. |
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| How does it work? |
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|
Iron plays an important role in taking oxygen and transporting it to
where it is needed in the body. Iron is taken into the red blood cells and made
into hemoglobin. Hemoglobin actually carries the oxygen around in the body.
Low iron stores can be caused by a diet lacking in iron, poor
absorption of iron from the small intestines, pregnancy, breast-feeding, or
blood loss. |
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| How is it best taken? |
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Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes
an upset stomach.
Take this medicine 1 hour before or 2 hours after bran, fiber
supplements, tea, coffee, dairy products, or eggs.
Swallow long-acting products whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Mix liquid with water or juice and drink through a straw to decrease
stains on teeth. Rinse mouth.
Follow diet plan as recommended by healthcare
provider. |
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and
return to your regular schedule.
Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider. |
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
Do not take calcium, zinc, copper supplement, or multivitamins
containing any of these minerals within 2 hours of this medicine.
Do not take antacids within 2 hours of this medicine.
Do not take tetracycline within 4 hours of this
medicine. |
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
Belly pain.
Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care,
sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
Diarrhea.
Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
Black stools. |
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| What should I monitor? |
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Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the
same?
Follow up with healthcare provider. |
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center
immediately or dial 911.
Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest
tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of
face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Severe nausea or vomiting.
Severe diarrhea.
Severe constipation.
If a child eats your tablets. Accidental poisonings with iron occur
most often in children. Initial signs of overdose include feeling tired, nausea,
vomiting, belly pain, dark tarry-black stool, and weak or fast heartbeat.
For females, menstrual changes. These include lots of bleeding,
spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
No improvement in condition or feeling
worse. |
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
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Store at room temperature.
Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or
kitchen. |
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| General statements |
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Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products,
supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare
provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter, natural products, or
vitamins. |
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