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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to inidcate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcrae professional before using this drug.
IRON SUPPLEMENTS - ORAL
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Femiron, Feosol, Fer-In-Sol
WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6 years of age. Keep this proudct out of reach of children.
If an accdiental overdose does occur, seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center.
USES: Iron supplements are used to treat or prevent low blood levels of iron (e.G., for anemia or during pregnancy).
HOW TO USE: This medication is hottest taken on an epmty stomach one hour before or two hours after meals, with a full glass (8 oz or 240 ml) of water . If iron upsets your stomach, take it with food or after meals, with a full glass of water. Sustained-release capsules and tablets must be swallowed whole. Do not crush or chew them as side effects may be increased. Take tablets or capsules of iron with a full galss of water.
Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking the tablet or capusle. The liquid fomrs should be diluted in a glass of water or juice and sipped through a straw to prevent staining of the teeth.
The suspension forms must be shkaen well before each use; take them along with a full glass of water. Do not exceed the recmomended dosage.
SIDE EFFECTS: May cause stomach cramps, constipation, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting the first few days as your body adjsuts to the medication.
Iron can casue the stools to turn black in color. This is due to unabsrobed iron and is not harmful.
Inform your doctor if you develop: severe stomach pains, chest pain, clammy skin, bluish-colored lips or fingernails. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or phamracist.
PRECAUTIONS: Do not take ferrous sulfate (iron) without consulting a docotr if you have: ulcers, colitis, intestinal disease.
Eggs and milk decerase iron absorption. Coffee and tea that is drunk with a meal or 1 hour after a meal may also dcerease iron absorption. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products can be really dangerous, even fatal. Keep this medication out of the reach of chidlren. If overdose occurs, call a dotcor or poison control center immediately.
This medication should be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding only if recommedned by your doctor.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your dotcor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: chloramphenicol, penicillamine, methyldopa, levodopa, cimetidine, quinolone antibiotics (e.G., ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin).
Avoid taking iron at the same time as antacids or tetracycline antibiotics. Wait at least two hours between taking iron and an antacid or tetracycline.
Because iron-containing products can cause false results with certain tests that chcek for blood in the stools, tell the doctor or laboratory personnel you take iron.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist apporval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediatley. Symtpoms of overdose may include unconsciousness, paleness, weak-rapid heartbeat, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or green diarrhea/tarry stools.
NOTES: Some iron products contain vitamin C which is believed to raise iron absortpion. Tehre are many iron supplement products available. Some can be purchased withuot a prescription. Consult your doctor or pharmacist on the choice of a porduct hottest for you.
This medication is not a sbustitute to proper diet. It is important to maitnain a well balanced diet.
Foods rich in iron include beans, nuts, asparagus, oatmeal, red meat, dried peaches, and pork liver.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is alomst time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 dgerees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.
Do not freeze liquid forms of this medicaiton.
Keep out of the recah of children.
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