
Precautions
Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation. Initial dose: 1 tablet orally once a day or Initial dose: 30 to 90 mg/day ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) (6 to 18 mg/day elemental iron) orally, in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily) 51 and over: 25 to 40 mg/day FeSO4 (5 to 8 mg/day elemental) orally, in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)
What is the typical dose of ferrous sulfate?
What happens if you take too much ferrous sulphate? An overdose of ferrous sulfate can be fatal to a 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).
What happens if you overdose on ferrous sulfate?
In an older study done on animals, chelated iron was found to cause fewer adverse effects than the use of other iron preparations. 5 Ferrous sulfate (non-chelated iron) caused more intense symptoms of toxicity than equal doses of chelated iron.
Is chelated iron better than ferrous sulfate?
20 Best Iron Supplements
- Elm & Rye Iron Supplements. These supplements are designed to be easy on the stomach and provide a high level of absorption. ...
- MegaFood Blood Builder. This iron supplement is designed to build red blood cells and support energy levels. ...
- Feosol Complete. ...
- BeLive Iron. ...
- Floradix Liquid Iron Supplement. ...
- New Chapter Fermented Iron Complex. ...
- NOW Iron. ...
Which iron supplement is best absorbed?

Is 325 mg of ferrous sulfate a day too much?
325 mg orally once a day. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of elemental iron is 10 mg for adult males, 15 mg for adult, premenopausal women, and 10 mg for postmenopausal women.
What are the side effects of ferrous sulfate 325 mg?
5. Side effectsfeeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting), stomach pain or heartburn.loss of appetite.constipation.diarrhoea.dark or black poo.black stained teeth (from the drops)
What is ferrous sulfate 325 mg used for?
This medication is an iron supplement used to treat or prevent low blood levels of iron (such as those caused by anemia or pregnancy). Iron is an important mineral that the body needs to produce red blood cells and keep you in good health.
When should I take ferrous sulfate 325 mg?
Typical dosing for iron supplements Ferrous sulfate (325 mg tablet): For adults and children over 12 years of age, take 1 tablet by mouth daily, preferably with a meal, or as directed by your provider.
Who should not take ferrous sulfate?
Ferrous sulfate tablets are not recommended for children aged less than twelve. May interact with a number of other medications including some antibiotics, antacids, and other supplements, particularly those that contain calcium, phosphorous, or zinc.
How long does it take to get iron levels up?
It may take 6 months to one year for your body to restock its iron stores. Your iron levels will be regularly reviewed with blood tests. If you have an underlying problem that is causing your iron deficiency, it is very important that the cause is investigated.
How many mg of iron do you need daily if you are anemic?
You can treat iron deficiency anemia by taking iron pills, available over the counter. Your doctor will recommend the best dosage for you based on how serious your anemia is, but the American Society of Hematology recommends between 150 and 200 milligrams of elemental iron per day.
When should I take ferrous sulfate morning or night?
The ideal time for taking an iron supplement is one hour before a meal, or two hours after, to ensure an empty stomach.Take your supplement before bed. This is likely to be the easiest time to have an empty stomach. ... Have a large breakfast or lunch. ... If you need food, plan to eat a piece of fruit with your supplement.
Does ferrous sulfate 325 mg require a prescription?
Ferrous Sulfate is available in over-the-counter vitamin supplements both individually and in combination with other nutrients. Ferrous Sulfate is also sometimes used in prescription Ferrous Sulfate supplements that treat iron-deficient anemia (low numbers of red blood cells caused by low iron).
Is 325 mg of iron twice a day a lot?
A typical initial dosage is 60 mg of elemental iron (i.e., 325 mg of ferrous sulfate) given one or two times per day. Larger doses are unabsorbed and increase the occurrence of adverse effects, especially dark stool, constipation, and nausea.
What's the difference between iron and ferrous sulfate?
What is the Difference Between Iron and Ferrous Sulfate? Ferrous sulfate is an ionic compound containing iron, sulfur and oxygen atoms. So, the key difference between iron and ferrous sulfate is that iron is a chemical element whereas ferrous sulfate is a chemical compound containing iron.
What does ferrous sulfate do to you?
Side effects from ferrous sulfate supplements are fairly common ( 10 ). The side effects people report most often are various types of gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and dark or discolored stools (14, 29 ).
When should I take ferrous sulfate morning or night?
The ideal time for taking an iron supplement is one hour before a meal, or two hours after, to ensure an empty stomach.Take your supplement before bed. This is likely to be the easiest time to have an empty stomach. ... Have a large breakfast or lunch. ... If you need food, plan to eat a piece of fruit with your supplement.
What's the difference between iron and ferrous sulfate?
What is the Difference Between Iron and Ferrous Sulfate? Ferrous sulfate is an ionic compound containing iron, sulfur and oxygen atoms. So, the key difference between iron and ferrous sulfate is that iron is a chemical element whereas ferrous sulfate is a chemical compound containing iron.
Does ferrous sulfate make you gain weight?
Iron Pills and Weight Gain Neither WebMD nor Mayo Clinic links iron tablets and weight gain. It's not even listed as a rare side effect. However, there are anecdotal reports of women who claim their iron supplements have caused weight gain. But there's scant scientific research to support these claims.
Does ferrous sulfate have side effects?
Ferrous Sulfate Side Effects Some people do experience stomach discomfort that ranges from heartburn to nausea and vomiting, but taking ferrous sulfate with food instead may help avoid or lessen it. Constipation or stools that are black or green also occur.
Before Taking This Medicine
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take ferrous sulfate if you have: 1. iron overload syndrome; 2. hemolytic anemia (a lack of red...
How Should I Take Ferrous Sulfate?
Use ferrous sulfate exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger amounts or for longer than recommended....
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dos...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, especially if a child has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose o...
Ferrous Sulfate 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...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Ferrous Sulfate?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially: 1. acetohydroxamic acid (Lithostat); 2. chloramphenicol; 3. cimetidine (Tagamet); 4...
What are the side effects of ferrous sulfate?
Common ferrous sulfate side effects may include: diarrhea, constipation; nausea, stomach pain; green-colored stools; or. loss of appetite. 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 should I avoid while taking ferrous sulfate?
Avoid taking other iron supplements. Do not take any vitamin or mineral supplements without asking a doctor or pharmacist.
What is 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.
How long before or after a meal should you take ferrous sulfate?
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.
What happens if you are allergic to ferrous sulfate?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to ferrous sulfate: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Can you crush a tablet?
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
Can iron be fatal?
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).
How much iron is in ferrous sulfate?
However, one ferrous sulfate tablet typically provides closer to 65 mg of iron, or 360% of the DV ( 6 ).
What is ferrous sulfate?
Ferrous sulfate is just one of many forms of the metal element iron. In its natural state, the solid mineral resembles small crystals. The crystals are typically a shade of yellow, brown, or bluish-green — hence why ferrous sulfate is sometimes called green vitriol ( 1 ).
What are the different types of iron in supplements?
Most types of iron in supplements are in one of two forms — ferric or ferrous. This depends on the chemical state of the iron atoms. The body absorbs ferrous forms of iron better ...
What is the best treatment for iron deficiency anemia?
One of the most common and effective treatments for IDA is taking an oral iron supplement, such as ferrous sulfate ( 14, 15.
How to treat low iron levels?
Taking ferrous sulfate supplements is a simple way to treat, prevent, or reverse low blood iron levels. Preventing iron deficiency not only ensures that your body has enough of the essential nutrient to continue functioning properly but also can help you avoid many of the unpleasant side effects of low iron levels.
What is iron salt?
Iron salts are one type of the mineral iron. People often use them as a supplement to treat iron deficiency. Ferrous sulfate is also called iron sulfate, green vitriol, and iron vitriol. This article is an overview of ferrous sulfate, its benefits and side effects, and how you can use it to treat and prevent iron deficiency. Share on Pinterest.
Which is better for iron supplements: ferrous or ferric?
The body absorbs ferrous forms of iron better than ferric forms. Thus, healthcare providers often consider ferrous forms, including ferrous sulfate, to be the best choice for iron supplements ( 2. ). Dietary iron supplements often use ferrous sulfate, a solid crystalline form of the mineral iron.
How old do you have to be to take ferrous sulfate?
Ferrous sulfate tablets are not recommended for children aged less than twelve.
What medications interact with ferrous sulfate?
Common medications that may interact with ferrous sulfate include: alpha-lipoic acid. antacids, such as those that contain aluminum, calcium, magnesium, or sodium bicarbonate. antibiotics, such as doxycycline, minocycline, and tetracycline. bisphosphonates, such as alendronate, risedronate. cefdinir (may make stools appear red) chloramphenicol.
How much iron is in iron salt?
Only the iron component of the iron salt is utilized; therefore, iron supplements usually state the amount of the iron salt (for example, ferrous sulfate 325mg) and the equivalent amount of elemental iron (for ferrous sulfate 325mg this equates to 65mg of elemental iron).
How to take iron with vitamin C?
Place the drops directly in the mouth or mix with water or fruit juice (do not use milk). Taking iron supplements with vitamin C may help improve absorption rates by as much as 48%. Iron supplements, including ferrous sulfate, may interact with some medications including some antibiotics, antacids, and other supplements.
Why do we need iron supplements?
Iron supplements are used to treat or prevent iron-deficiency anemia. In iron deficiency anemia, a lack of iron reduces the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin allows red blood cells to transport oxygen around the body as well as giving red blood cells their color.
Why is immediate release preferred for iron deficiency anemia?
Immediate-release preparations are preferred for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia because enteric-coated or extended-release preparations are poorly absorbed.
How long can you take iron supplements?
Do not take iron supplements for longer than 6 months unless your doctor has advised you to do so.
