Ferrous Sulfate Ferrous sulfate is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat.

In your body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen. Ferrous Sulfate is an essential body mineral. Ferrous sulfate is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body). Generic Name: Ferrous sulfate Trade Name: Classification: Iron Preparation Indications and Dosage: Oral Iron-deficiency anaemia Adult: Treatment: 400-600 mg daily in divided doses. Prevention: 200 mg daily. Child: Treatment: <6 yr or <22 kg: Not recommended. 6-12 yr: >22 kg: 200 mg daily; >44 kg: 200 mg bid >66 kg: 200 mg tid. Administration: Should be taken on an empty stomach. (Best taken on an empty stomach. May be taken w/ meals to reduce GI discomfort.) Overdosage: Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea of green or tarry stools, haematemesis, seizures, drowsiness, metabolic acidosis, hepatic dysfunction, renal failure, coma. Treatment: Empty stomach contents by gastric lavage. In severe toxicity, IV desferrioxamine may be given. Treatment is supportive. Haemodialysis is unlikely to be useful. Contraindications: Patients receiving repeated blood transfusions; anaemia not due to iron deficiency. Special Precautions: Elderly. Avoid admin for >6 mth except in patients with continuous bleeding. Avoid concomitant oral and parenteral iron therapy. Iron-storage or iron-absorption diseases (e.g. haemochromatosis), haemoglobinopathies); existing GI diseases (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal strictures, diverticulae, peptic ulcer disease, enteritis or ulcerative colitis). Liquid preparations may stain teeth. Adverse Drug Reactions: GI irritation, abdominal pain and cramps, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, dark stool and discoloration of urine; heartburn. Drug Interactions: Decreased iron absorption with antacids, colestyramine, trientine, proton pump inhibitors. Decreased absorption of both iron and tetracycline when admin together. Delayed response to iron in patients on systemic chloramphenicol. Reduced efficacy of levothyroxine with iron. Decreased absorption of cefdinir, bisphosphonates, entacapone, flouroquinolones, levodopa, methyldopa and penicillamine. Food Interaction: Absorption may be decreased by wholegrains, tea, coffee, eggs and milk. Increased absorption with vitamin C.

Lab Interference: May interfere with tests used for detection of occult blood as iron preparations may colour the faeces black. May cause false-positive guaiac test for blood. Mechanism of Action Ferrous sulfate facilitates O2 transport via haemoglobin. It is used as iron source as it replaces iron found in haemoglobin, myoglobin and other enzymes. Onset: Oral: 3-10 days. Absorption: Duodenum and upper jejunum: 10% absorption after oral admin in persons with normal serum iron stores; 2030% absorption in those with inadequate iron stores. MECHANISM OF ACTION Elevates the serum iron concentration which then helps to form High or trapped in the reticuloendothelial cells for storage and eventual conversion to a usable form of iron. INDICATIONS Prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemias. Dietary supplement for iron. CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity Severe hypotension. ADVERSE EFFECT Dizziness N&V Nasal Congestion Dyspnea Hypotension CHF MI Muscle cramps Flushing NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES Advise patient to take medicine as prescribed. Caution patient to make position changes slowly to minimize orthostatic hypotension. Instruct patient to avoid concurrent use of alcohol or OTC medicine without consulting the physician. Advise patient to consult physician if irregular heartbeat, dyspnea, swelling of hands and feet and hypotension occurs. Inform patient that angina attacks may occur 30 min. after administration due reflex tachycardia. Encourage patient to comply with additional intervention for hypertension like proper diet, regular exercise, lifestyle changes and stress management.

Important information about ferrous sulfate Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take ferrous sulfate if you have iron overload syndrome, hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells), porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system), thalassemia (a genetic disorder of red blood cells), if you are an alcoholic, or if you receive regular blood transfusions. Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of iron can be fatal, especially in a young child. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse, pale skin, blue lips, and seizure (convulsions). Take ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Avoid taking antacids or antibiotics within 2 hours before or after taking ferrous sulfate. Ferrous sulfate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat to make sure you get enough iron from both your diet and your medication. Who should not take ferrous sulfate? Do not take ferrous sulfate if you have hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, or hemolytic anemia. Talk to your doctor before taking ferrous sulfate if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor before taking ferrous sulfate if you are breast-feeding a baby. Before taking ferrous sulfate Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take ferrous sulfate if you have: iron overload syndrome; hemolytic anemia (a lack of red blood cells); porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system); thalassemia (a genetic disorder of red blood cells); if you are an alcoholic; or if you receive regular blood transfusions. It is not known whether ferrous sulfate could be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether ferrous sulfate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use ferrous sulfate without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give ferrous sulfate to a child without the advice of a doctor. How should I take ferrous sulfate? Use ferrous sulfate exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Take ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Avoid taking antacids or antibiotics within 2 hours before or after taking ferrous sulfate . Take ferrous sulfate with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule.

Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Ferrous sulfate can stain your teeth, but this effect is temporary. To prevent tooth staining, mix the liquid form of ferrous sulfate with water or fruit juice (not with milk) and drink the mixture through a straw. You may also clean your teeth with baking soda once per week to treat any tooth staining. Ferrous sulfate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat to make sure you get enough iron from both your diet and your medication. Store ferrous sulfate at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. What should I avoid while taking ferrous sulfate? Avoid taking any other multivitamin or mineral product within 2 hours before or after you take ferrous sulfate. Taking similar mineral products together the same time can result in a mineral overdose or serious side effects. Avoid taking an antibiotic medicine within 2 hours before or after you take ferrous sulfate. This is especially important if you are taking an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap). Certain foods can also make it harder for your body to absorb ferrous sulfate. Avoid taking this medication within 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating fish, meat, liver, and whole grain or "fortified" breads or cereals. Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it harder for your body to absorb ferrous sulfate.