Classes
DEA Class; Rx, OTC
Common Brand Names; Slow FE, Fer-In-Sol, Feratab, Iron, Mol-Iron, Feosol, MyKidz Iron 10
- Iron Products
Description
Replaces iron stores found in hemoglobin, myoglobin, and enzymes; allows transportation of oxygen via hemoglobin
Indications
Copper is indicated as
- Recommended Daily Allowance (Elemental Iron)
- Iron Deficiency Anemia
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Hemochromatosis, hemolytic anemia
Adverse Effects
- Constipation
- Contact irritation
- Diarrhea
- Dark stools
- GI hemorrhage (rare)
- GI irritation
- GI obstruction (wax matrix products; rare)
- GI perforation (rare)
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Superficial tooth discoloration (oral solutions)
- Urine discoloration
- Vomiting
Warnings
Avoid use in peptic ulcer disease, ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis, and patients receiving frequent blood transfusions
Absorption is variable and incomplete
Liquid dosage forms contain 20% elemental iron; dried forms (usually monohydrate) have 30-33%
Avoid use in premature infants until vitamin E stores, which are deficient at birth are replenished
Avoid administering iron for >6 months except in patients with continuous bleeding or menorrhagia
Unintentional iron overdose is leading cause of fatal poisoning in children <6 years; keep out of reach of children
Hypersensitivity reactions, usually a delayed reaction, reported following exposure to pharmaceutical products containing polysorbate 80 in certain individuals; thrombocytopenia, ascites, pulmonary deterioration , and renal hepatic failure reported in premature neonates after receiving parenteral products containing polysorbate 80; some storage forms contain polysorbate 80
Some dosage forms may contain propylene glycol; large amounts are potentially toxic and have been associated with hyperosmolality, lactic acidosis, seizures, and respiratory depression
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy category: Not studied
Lactation: Drug is excreted in breast milk
Maximum Dosage
Nutrition
Recommended Daily Allowance (Elemental Iron)
19-50 years
- Males: 8 mg/day
- Females: 18 mg/day
- Pregnant females: 27 mg/day
- Lactating females: 9 mg/day
>50 years
- 8 mg/day
Recommended Daily Allowance (Elemental Iron)
0-6 months: 0.27 mg/day
6-12 months: 11 mg/day
1-3 years: 7 mg/day
3-8 years: 10 mg/day
8-13 years: 8 mg/day
>13 years
- Males: 11 mg/day
- Females: 15 mg/day
- Pregnant females: 27 mg/day
- Lactating females: 10 mg/day
How supplied
Ferrous Sulfate (Elemental Iron)
Oral solution
- 220mg (44mg Fe)/5mL
- 300mg (60mg Fe)/5mL
- 15 mg elemental Fe/mL
Oral liquid drops
- 75mg (15mg Fe)/mL
Tablet
- 45mg elemental Fe
- 200mg (65mg Fe)
- 300mg (60mg Fe)
- 325mg (65mg Fe)
Tablet, delayed release
- 325mg (65mg Fe)
Tablet, extended release
- 160mg (50mg Fe)
- 142mg (45 mg Fe)
- 140mg (45 mg Fe)