Drug Trade Name- Feosol
Category –Iron Supplement
Generic Name – Ferrous Sulphate
Introduction and quick information:
Iron is a necessary element of the body required in some basic amounts and sometimes there is not sufficient amount of iron present in our body to fulfill our body’s need. It is the major constituent of hemoglobin and myoglobin that are responsible for the transfer and utilization of oxygen in various parts of the body through blood. Deficiency of iron means lesser oxygen supply to other parts of body, which in turn affects the whole metabolism of our body. Deficiency of iron is known as anemia in which number of red blood cell decreases. When this drug is taken in moderate amount as prescribed by your doctor, we can get away from anemia. Ferrous Sulfate is an oral iron supplement that fulfills this requirement.
Is it approved By FDA?
Since it is nutritional supplement FDA has not approved it. It is taken to cure anemia.
Usage and Benefits of Ferrous Sulfate:
Listed below are some of the prime uses of ferrous sulfate:
- Fulfill iron need of the body
- Treatment of anemia
- Production of red blood cells
Above listed are the health-related uses of the Ferrous Sulfate. It is also used extensively for industrial as well as agricultural purposes.
Ferrous Sulfate Side Effects:
Ferrous sulfate is used in little amounts to fulfill the very basic iron requirement of your body but it can be harmful if you are allergic or take it in excess. Some of the side-effects that you may encounter while taking Ferrous Sulfate are listed below:
- Sign of allergic reactions like rash, hives, etching etc.
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
- Fever
- Upset stomach
- Constipation
- Very bad belly pain
Apart from those listed above you may also experience any other side-effect. So, It is better to consult your doctor if any sign of health issues arise.
People suffering from any of kind of health disorders mentioned below, should consult their doctor prior to taking any Ferrous Sulfate dosage:
- Porphyria
- Iron overload syndrome
- Thalassemia
- Hemolytic
- Receiving blood transfusions
It would be better if you consult your doctor even if you have health problems other than displayed above.
General recommended dosages of Ferrous Sulfate:
Ferrous Sulfate should be taken according to doctor’s prescription or as instructed on the bottle’s label because dosage in larger amounts or for longer than recommended can be harmful.
There are some things to be kept in mind if you are using this medication:
- Take it either 2 hours after or 1 hour prior to a meal.
- Do not take any antibiotics or antacids within 2 hrs of your ferrous sulfate dosage.
- The whole pill should be swallowed at once. Do not open or break the tablets or capsules.
- If you are taking it in oral liquid form. Don’t forget to shake the bottle containing the medication prior usage and take with a marked measuring spoon.
- If it causes stain in your teeth then you can mix it with water and then consume the mixture.
In case I miss the dose?
Don’t worry. Take the missed dose at the moment you remember it and if it is the time for your next scheduled dose then the missed dose should be skipped. No need to take an extra dose as it may be harmful.
In case I take overdose?
Cases of drug overdose are often seen because people take overdose intentionally or unintentionally. Over dosage of Ferrous Sulfate can lead to fatal poisoning in children. Some of the other side-effects of overdose include difficulty in breathing, swelling, blue lips, pale skin, constipation, colored stools and many more.
In case of drug overdose seek immediate medical help and call your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions of Ferrous Sulfate:
Drugs that interact with Ferrous Sulfate are listed below. So, doctor’s advice is necessary before taking these drugs along with Ferrous sulfate.
- Aetohydroxamic acid
- Cimetidine
- Chloramphenicol;
- Dimercaprol
- Penicillamine
- Levodopa
- Etidronate
- Methyldopa
Drugs other than those listed above can also interact with ferrous sulfate. It is better to tell your doctor about all medications you are already using. Inform your doctor before starting a new medication.
Life style and food habits you must follow when on Ferrous Sulfate:
Add good dietary sources of iron in your daily diet to make it well-balanced so that you get required amount of iron from your food only. This is because iron is extracted from the food we take. Quitting bad habits like alcohol consumption and smoking will be an added advantage as these habits are responsible for inefficient working of red blood cells and may lowers the quality of blood.
How safe is Ferrous Sulfate for pregnant women or Nursing mothers?
FDA has not assigned Ferrous Sulfate to a pregnancy category because evidence of teratogenicity is not revealed yet through human case reports. Generally, it is considered safe and prescribed as an integral part of prenatal multivitamin. But in anemic ladies there is a risk of low birth weight and premature delivery.
It is also considered safe for nursing mothers because consumption of Ferrous Sulfate do not alter the iron content in breast milk and thus cause no harm to the infant.
Its better to consult your doctor prior to take medicine.
Complications and Conditions possible due to prolonged use of Ferrous Sulfate:
Prolonged use of ferrous sulfate can increase the total iron content in your body and you may have to face its side-effects. It might also be possible that you get bound to its usage to fulfill iron requirement of your body. If you want to get rid of this medication, you can simply consult your doctor. He will provide you alternatives to this medication and recommend you to take other source of iron.
Availability of Ferrous Sulfate:
Ferrous Sulfate is available in the various forms like tablets, capsules and in liquid and you can buy them from any of the local health centers or any other government recognized hospitals or medical centers.
Follow the doctor’s prescription.