What It Is Used For
Ferrous fumarate is an iron supplement. It treats and prevents iron deficiency anaemia, for example in pregnancy, after blood loss or with heavy periods. It is often combined with folic acid.
How to Take It
Take it as your doctor or the pack says, usually once a day. It is absorbed best on an empty stomach, 1 hour before a meal; take it with food if it upsets your stomach. A glass of orange juice or other vitamin C helps absorption. Treatment usually continues for about 3 months after blood levels return to normal.
Who Should Not Take It
Do not take it if you have too much iron in the body (haemochromatosis), repeated blood transfusions, or anaemia not caused by low iron, unless your doctor says so.
Side Effects
Nausea, stomach pain, constipation or diarrhoea. Black stools are normal and harmless while taking iron. Liquid iron can stain teeth; use a straw and rinse your mouth.
Precautions
Tell your doctor if you have a stomach ulcer or bowel inflammation. Do not take iron for a long time unless a test shows you need it.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Commonly used in pregnancy and safe when breastfeeding at the recommended doses.
Interactions
Tea, coffee, milk, calcium and antacids reduce iron absorption; take them at least 2 hours apart. Iron reduces the absorption of Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin and Levothyroxine; space them apart too.
Overdose
Iron overdose is very dangerous for young children, even a few tablets. Keep it locked away. If a child swallows any, go to a hospital at once.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, well out of the reach of children.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.