How should I take ferrous gluconate?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do
not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take ferrous gluconate 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 gluconate
.
Take this medication with a full
glass of
water.
Do not crush, chew, or break an ferrous gluconate tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill
whole.
Measure the liquid medicine with a marked 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 gluconate can stain your teeth, but this effect is temporary. To prevent tooth
staining, mix the liquid form of ferrous gluconate 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.
Ferrous gluconate 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.
Store ferrous gluconate at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the
liquid medicine from freezing.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine, or if a child has accidentally swallowed it.
An overdose of ferrous gluconate
can be fatal to a child.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, severe nausea or stomach pain, vomiting,
bloody diarrhea, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, shallow breathing,
weak and rapid pulse, cold or clammy skin, blue lips, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking ferrous gluconate?
Do not take any vitamin or mineral supplements that your doctor has not prescribed or
recommended.
Avoid taking an antibiotic medicine within 2 hours before or after you take ferrous
gluconate. This is especially important if you are taking an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin
(Cipro), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin),
levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn,
Vectrin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), or tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin,
Sumycin, Tetracap).
Certain foods can also make it harder for your body to absorb ferrous gluconate.
Avoid taking this medication within 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating fish, meat, liver, and
whole grain or "fortified" breads or cereals.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid
your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it
harder for your body to absorb ferrous gluconate.
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