Ferrous Sulfate (Feosol, Slow FE)

Uses

Iron is a mineral that your body needs to produce red blood cells. When the body does not get enough iron, it cannot produce enough red blood cells to keep itself healthy. This is called iron-deficiency anemia. Lack of iron can cause tiredness, shortness of breath, and decreased physical performance. It also can increase a your chance of getting infections.

Ferrous sulfate is used to treat or prevent low levels of iron in the blood; it treats or prevents iron-deficiency anemia.

Foods rich in iron include lean red meat, beans, nuts, asparagus, oatmeal, and dried peaches. Vitamin C can increase the absorption of iron, which can be found in citrus fruits and fresh vegetables. Ferrous sulfate might be prescribed if your child is not able to maintain a healthy level of iron through diet alone.

Types Available

Ferrous sulfate is taken by mouth. It is available in liquid form, as caplets, and as 300- and 324-mg tablets.

How to Take

Ferrous sulfate should be taken on an empty stomach and with water or fruit juice. However, if the medication upsets your child’s stomach, he or she can take ferrous sulfate with food.

Missed Doses

If your child misses a dose of ferrous sulfate, take it as soon as you or your child remembers. If you remember within two hours of your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your child’s usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

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. (The unusual coloring is because of absorbed iron, and is not harmful.)

In rare cases, people taking ferrous sulfate experience:

• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• chest pain
• dark urine

If your child has trouble with any of these side effects, inform your doctor or coordinator.

Drug Interactions

Tell your coordinator about all the medication your child uses, whether over-the-counter or prescription, so you can be warned of undesirable interactions and prevent them.

Precautions

Take ferrous sulfate as prescribed. Eggs, milk, dairy products, coffee, tea, spinach, fiber, and antacids can decrease iron absorption. Your child should take iron tablets one to two hours after eating these foods or taking other medication.

Availability

Most pharmacies stock ferrous sulfate.