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February 10, 2012
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Medications and Drugs

Brand Names: Feosol, Fer Iron, Feratab, Fer-Gen-Sol, Fer-In-Sol, FeroSul, Ferra T.D. Caps, Ferro-Bob, Lydia E. Pinkham, MyKidz Iron 10, Slow Fe, Slow Release Iron

Generic Name: ferrous sulfate (Pronunciation: FER us SUL fate)

What is ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Fer Iron, Feratab, Fer-Gen-Sol, Fer-In-Sol, FeroSul, Ferra T.D. Caps, Ferro-Bob, Lydia E. Pinkham, MyKidz Iron 10, Slow Fe, Slow Release Iron)?

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 (HEEM o glo bin) and myoglobin (MY o glo bin). Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.

Ferrous sulfate is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body).

Ferrous sulfate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ferrous Sulfate 325 mg-Red-MUT

round, red

What are the possible side effects of ferrous sulfate?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • constipation;
  • upset stomach;
  • black or dark-colored stools; or
  • temporary staining of the teeth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about ferrous sulfate?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take this medication 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.

Avoid taking any other multivitamin or mineral product within 2 hours before or after you take ferrous sulfate. Taking similar mineral products together at the same time can result in a mineral overdose or serious side effects.

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.


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Brand Names:
Feosol, Feratab, Fer-Gen-Sol, Fer-In-Sol, Fer-Iron, FeroSul, Ferra T.D. Caps, Ferro-Bob, Lydia E. Pinkham, MyKidz Iron 10, Slow Fe, Slow Release Iron
[+]

Generic Name:
ferrous sulfate
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What is hemoglobin?

Hemoglobin (sometimes abbreviated as Hb) is complex protein found in red blood cells that contains an iron molecule. The main function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues, and to exchange the oxygen for carbon dioxide, and then carry the carbon monoxide back to the lungs and where it is exchanged for oxygen. The iron molecule in hemoglobin helps maintain the normal shape of red blood cells.

How is hemoglobin measured?

Hemoglobin is routinely measured as part of a routine blood test termed complete blood count (CBC). A complete blood count is one of the most common tests doctors order for a patient. It is done on automated machines that use a blood sample that is chemically treated to release hemoglobin from red blood cells. The released hemoglobin then is bound chemically to cyanide that forms a compound that absorbs light. The amount of absorbed light is then mea...

Read the Hemoglobin (Levels) article »


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