How much ferrous sulfate should i take

Take ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Avoid taking antacids or antibiotics within 2 hours before or after taking ferrous sulfate. Ferrous sulfate is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor.

You should become very familiar with the list of foods you should eat to make sure you get enough iron from both your diet and your medication. Ferrous sulfate is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen. Ferrous sulfate is used to treat iron deficiency anemia a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body.

It is not known whether this medication could be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether ferrous sulfate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Shake the oral suspension liquid well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon.

If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Ferrous sulfate can stain your teeth, but this effect is temporary. To prevent tooth staining, mix the liquid form of ferrous sulfate with water or fruit juice not with milk and drink the mixture through a straw. You may also clean your teeth with baking soda once per week to treat any tooth staining.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Dietary iron supplements often use ferrous sulfate, a solid crystalline form of the mineral iron. The primary benefit of taking ferrous sulfate supplements is to maintain normal iron levels in the body. Doing so may prevent you from experiencing iron deficiency, as well as the range of mild to severe side effects that often accompany it.

That means people need to consume it in their diet for optimal health. The body primarily uses iron as part of the red blood cell proteins myoglobin and hemoglobin, which are essential for transporting and storing oxygen 6. Iron also plays an important role in the formation of hormones, the health and development of the nervous system, and basic cell functioning 6. Although many people consume iron as a dietary supplement, you can also find it naturally in many foods, including beans , spinach, potatoes, tomatoes, and particularly meat and seafood, including oysters, sardines, poultry, and beef 6.

Some foods, such as fortified breakfast cereals, are not naturally high in iron, but manufacturers add iron to make them a good source of this mineral 6. Many of the highest sources of iron are animal products. Therefore, vegans, vegetarians, and people who do not consume many iron-rich foods as a part of their normal diet may benefit from taking ferrous sulfate iron supplements to help maintain their iron stores 7.

Taking ferrous sulfate supplements is a simple way to treat, prevent, or reverse low blood iron levels. Preventing iron deficiency not only ensures that your body has enough of the essential nutrient to continue functioning properly but also can help you avoid many of the unpleasant side effects of low iron levels. Some of the most notable side effects of low iron levels include 6 , 8 , 9 , 10 :.

Anemia is a condition that occurs when your blood has low amounts of red blood cells or hemoglobin Because iron is a critical part of the red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body, having iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia 9 , 12 , Iron deficiency anemia IDA is a severe form of iron deficiency that has significant effects on the human body and may cause some of the more serious symptoms associated with iron deficiency.

One of the most common and effective treatments for IDA is taking an oral iron supplement, such as ferrous sulfate 14 , Multiple research studies have cited having iron deficiency as a risk factor for increased rates of complications and mortality following surgery. One study looked at the outcomes for people who underwent heart surgery, including those with ferritin levels below mcg per liter — a sign of iron deficiency The iron deficient participants were more likely to experience serious adverse events during surgery, including death.

They also required a longer stay in the hospital, on average, after surgery Iron deficiency appears to have similar effects in other types of surgery. One study analyzed more than , surgical procedures and determined that even mild IDA prior to surgery increased the risk of health complications and mortality following the procedure Because ferrous sulfate supplements can treat and prevent iron deficiency, taking them prior to having surgery could improve the outcome and reduce the risk of complications Though oral iron supplements like ferrous sulfate are an effective way to increase iron stores in the body, a person may need to take supplements every day for 2—5 months to bring their iron stores up to normal levels 18 , Thus, people with iron deficiency who do not have multiple months to try and increase iron stores prior to surgery may not benefit from ferrous sulfate supplements and require another type of iron therapy instead 20 , Furthermore, research studies on iron therapy for people who have anemia before surgery are limited in size and scope.

Scientists still need to conduct more high quality studies to investigate the best ways for people to increase their iron levels before surgery People primarily use ferrous sulfate supplements to prevent iron deficiencies, treat iron deficiency anemia, and maintain normal iron levels.

The supplements may prevent the adverse side effects of iron deficiency. At certain stages of life, some groups of people have an increased need for iron. Others have lifestyles and diets that may lead to low iron levels. People at the greatest risk of having low iron levels include 6 , 15 :. People in certain stages of life have increased iron needs and are more susceptible to iron deficiency. Children, female adolescents, pregnant people, and those with a chronic disease are some of the groups that may benefit most from ferrous sulfate.

About ferrous sulfate Ferrous sulfate or sulphate is a medicine used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia. Ferrous sulfate comes as tablets, or as drops that you swallow. It's available on prescription and to buy from pharmacies. Ferrous sulfate may also be called by the brand names Feospan, Ferrograd, and Ironorm Drops.

Ferrous sulfate works best when taken on an empty stomach. However if it gives you stomach ache, try taking it with food. Most people begin to feel better after taking ferrous sulfate for 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks to take full effect.

Common side effects include feeling or being sick, constipation and diarrhoea. Ferrous sulfate may not be suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before taking ferrous sulfate if you: have had an allergic reaction to ferrous sulfate or any other medicine in the past have a different type of anaemia that is not caused by low levels of iron have any other conditions that affect your iron levels, such as haemochromatosis or haemosiderosis have a condition that affects your red blood cells, such as sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia have a stomach ulcer , have had all or part of your stomach removed, or have other stomach or bowel problems such as inflammatory bowel disease are receiving repeated blood transfusions have noticed blood in your pee have been diagnosed with an iron deficiency and are already receiving treatment for this.

If you buy ferrous sulfate from a pharmacy, follow the instructions that come with the packet. Ferrous sulfate comes as mg tablets or as drops that you swallow. The drops contain mg of ferrous sulfate in each 1ml. The drops may be easier for children and people who find it difficult to swallow tablets. How much will I take? To treat anaemia The usual dose for adults is: tablets : one mg tablet, taken 2 to 3 times a day drops : 4ml, taken once or twice a day To prevent anaemia The usual dose for adults is: tablets : one mg tablet, taken once a day drops : 2.

If you have difficulty swallowing the tablets tell your doctor or pharmacist. Important Keep ferrous sulfate out of sight and reach of children, as an overdose may be fatal. What if I forget to take it? Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. What if I take too much?

In serious cases you can vomit blood, have a seizure or fit, or become unconcious. Take the ferrous sulfate packet or the leaflet inside it with you and any remaining medicine. Like all medicine, ferrous sulfate can cause side effects in some people. Many people have no side effects or only minor ones. Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away: feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting , stomach pain or heartburn loss of appetite constipation diarrhoea dark or black poo black stained teeth from the drops Serious allergic reaction In rare cases it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to ferrous sulfate.

These are not all the side effects of ferrous sulfate. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. What to do about: feeling or being sick, stomach pain or heartburn — try taking ferrous sulfate with, or just after, a meal or snack.

Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. If you're being sick, try small frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark strong-smelling pee.

If it helps, eat smaller meals more often than usual. Snack when you're hungry. Have nutritious snacks that are high in calories and protein, such as dried fruit and nuts. Try to exercise more regularly , for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this does not help, talk to a pharmacist or doctor. Watch this short video about how to treat constipation. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. Talk to a doctor if your poo is black and sticky looking, has red streaks in it, or if you also feel unwell in any other way.

Do not suck or chew the tablet, or keep it in your mouth. It's usually safe to take ferrous sulfate during pregnancy. Ferrous sulfate and breastfeeding It's usually safe to breastfeed while taking ferrous sulfate.

Important Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding. Important Tell a doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements. How does ferrous sulfate work? How long does ferrous sulfate take to work? How long will I take it for?