How should I take ferrous sulfate?
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 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 .
Take this medication with a full
glass of
water.
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. To be sure
you get the correct dose, measure the liquid 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 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.
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.
Store ferrous sulfate at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
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 sulfate
can be fatal to a child.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, coughing
up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, shallow breathing, weak and rapid pulse, pale
skin, blue lips, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking ferrous sulfate?
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
sulfate. 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 sulfate. 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 sulfate.
Print
Email
Save
Drug Info Tools
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
