FERROUS SULFATE + FOLIC ACID

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.

Folic acid helps your body produce and maintain new cells, and also helps prevent changes to DNA that may lead to cancer.

Uses

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by low iron levels in the body).

Supplement during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects.

Warnings

Do NOT use this product if:

you are allergic to any of its ingredients
you have certain iron metabolism problems (e.g., hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis) or you have high levels of iron in your blood

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Side Effects

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.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

sore throat, trouble swallowing;
severe stomach pain; or
blood in your stools.

Less serious side effects may include:

diarrhea;
constipation;
nausea, vomiting, heartburn;
leg pain; or
darkened skin or urine color.

Precautions

Precautions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or 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.

Interactions

Do not take any vitamin or mineral supplements that your doctor has not prescribed or recommended.

Avoid taking an antibiotic medicine within 2 hours before or after you take ferrous sulfate and folic acid. This is especially important if you are taking an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), or sparfloxacin (Zagam).

Certain foods can also make it harder for your body to absorb this medication. 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

Overdose & Brands

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).

Available brands:

Anifer (San Marino Labs)
Femina (General Drug & Chem)
Hemiron (Ace)
Phil Pharmawealth/Nestor Ferrous Sulfate + Folic Acid (Nestor Pharma)