Generic Name: ferrous sulfate
Brand Names: Fer-In-Sol, Slow Fe, Feosol, Feratab
Drug Class: N/A
What are iron supplements (ferrous sulfate) used for?
Ferrous sulfate is used for the treatment and prevention of iron-deficiency anemias.
Iron supplements are available over-the-counter (OTC) in generic form. Other names for ferrous sulfate are the brand names Fer-In-Sol, Slow Fe, Feosol, Feratab, and many more.
What are the side effects of iron supplements?
The most common side effects associated with ferrous sulfate treatment are:
- constipation,
- dark stools,
- stomach pain,
- nausea, and
- vomiting.
Less common side effects include:
What is the dosage for iron supplements?
The recommended dietary reference intake (RDA) based on elemental iron is:
- Individuals 19-50 years : Males 8 mg/day, Females 18 mg/day,
- Pregnant women: 27 mg/day,
- Breastfeeding women: 9 mg/day.
- Individuals = 50 years: 8 mg/day
- For treatment of anemia, the recommended dose expressed as ferrous sulfate is 300 mg every 12 hours and may be increased to 300 mg every 6 hours (regular tablets) or 250 mg daily or every 12 hours (extended release tablets).
- The dose for preventing iron deficiency anemia is 300 mg once daily of ferrous sulfate.
Iron supplements are available as preparations of:
- Elixir: 220 mg/5 ml;
- Solution 75 mg/ml;
- Syrup: 300 mg/5 ml;
- Tablets: 325 mg;
- Delayed release tablets: 324, 325 mg;
- Extended release tablets: 160, 142 mg.
Iron Supplements should be stored at room temperature, 15 C-30 C (59 F-86 F).

SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowWhich drugs or supplements interact with iron supplements?
- Antacids, H2-antagonists (for example, cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine, or nizatidine), pancrelipase, and proton pump inhibitors (for example, omeprazole, lansoprazole, raberprazole, pantoprazole, or esomeprazole) may decrease the absorption of iron supplements.
- Iron salts may decrease the blood concentration of bisphophonates (for example, aldendronate, etidronate, risedronate, or tiludronate), cefdinir (Omnicef), deferiprone (Ferripox), dolutegravir (Tivicay), eltrombopag (Promacta), levothyroxine (Synthroid), quinolone antibiotics (for example, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), and tetracycline antibiotics.
Are iron supplements safe to take if you are pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Ferrous sulfate crosses the placenta and is safe to use during pregnancy. All pregnant females should be screened for iron deficiency anemia and treated as necessary.
- Iron is normally found in breast milk. Ferrous sulfate is secreted into breast milk.
Summary
Ferrous sulfate (Fer-In-Sol, Slow Fe, Feosol, Feratab) is a supplement used for the treatment of iron deficiency anemias. The most common side effects associated with ferrous sulfate treatment are constipation, dark stools, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
Related Disease Conditions
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Anemia
Anemia is the condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. The oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood is, therefore, decreased. There are several types of anemia such as iron deficiency anemia (the most common type), sickle cell anemia, vitamin B12 anemia, pernicious anemia, and aplastic anemia. Symptoms of anemia may include fatigue, malaise, hair loss, palpitations, menstruation, and medications. Treatment for anemia includes treating the underlying cause for the condition. Iron supplements, vitamin B12 injections, and certain medications may also be necessary.
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Nature vs. Nurture Theory (Genes vs. Environment)
In the nature vs. nurture debate, "nature" represents our genetic makeup. These are the genes you have inherited from your biological family, and that may affect your physical and mental health, for example, intelligence, disease, and psychological health. While "nurture" represents how our environment affects our intelligence, traits, personality, and mental and physical health. Studies have shown that a person's environment can alter his or her genes, and lower their risk of developing certain inherited diseases, conditions, and mental illnesses that run in his or her family. Researchers and doctors have found that particular physical traits like eye and skin color, and diseases like Huntington's chorea are the result of genetic inheritance (inherited from a family member). However, patterns of thinking and behavior can be attributed to both nature and nurture (your genes and your environment). Moreover, researchers who study the brain have found overwhelming evidence that a person's genetic factors and his or her experiences guide and support brain development. The human brain produces new nerve cells (neurons) into adulthood, and these nerve cells can change the strength of their connections throughout life, which can affect intelligence and other factors.
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Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload)
Hereditary hemochromatosis (iron overload) is an inherited disorder in which there is excessive accumulation of iron in the body. Check out the center below for more medical references on hemochromatosis, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.
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What Are the 3 Stages of Iron Deficiency?
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Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinal)
- pantothenic acid
- alfalfa
- ferrous sulfate
- panax ginseng
- iron/vitamin c/vitamin b12/folic acid - oral, Chromagen Forte, Niferex-150 F
- iron dextran (Dexferrum, INFeD)
- carbonyl iron
- trimagnesium citrate anhydrous
- iron w/stool softener sustained-release - oral
- vitamin A
- chromium
- prenatal vitamins/iron/folic acid chewable tablet - oral
- iron/vitamin c/vitamin b12/intrinsic factor - oral, Foltrin
- multivitamins w/iron (includes prenatal vits) - oral liquids
- multivitamins w/iron (includes prenatal vitamins) - oral
- multivitamins/iron/fluoride chewable tablet - oral
- Feiba Vh (Anti-Inhibitor Coagulant Complex)
- iron/vitamin c sustained-release - oral, Fero-Grad, Folitab
- multivitamins w/iron (includes prenatal vits) time release - oral
- multivitamins/iron (includes prenatal vits) chewable tablet - oral
Prevention & Wellness
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