patient education
Eisensulfato oral
IRON SUPPLEMENTS - ORAL
WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6 years of age. Keep this product out of the reach of children. If an overdose occurs, seek immediate medical attention or call a poison control center.
USED:This medication is an iron supplement used to treat or prevent low levels of iron in the blood (for example, caused by anemia or pregnancy). Iron is an important mineral your body needs to make red blood cells and keep you healthy.
HOW TO USE:Follow all instructions on the product package or take it as directed by your doctor. Do not take more than the recommended dose. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach (usually taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). If stomach upset occurs, you can take this medication with food. See instructions below for baby/toddler liquid drops. Avoid taking antacids, dairy products, tea or coffee 2 hours before or after this medication as they reduce effectiveness. Swallow the tablets or capsules with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters), unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking your tablet or capsule. Swallow extended-release capsules whole. Do not crush or chew extended-release capsules or tablets. This allows all of the drug to be released at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not share extended-release tablets unless they have a notched line and your doctor or pharmacist has told you to. Swallow the tablet whole or divided without crushing or chewing. If you are taking chewable tablets, chew the medicine well and then swallow it. If you are taking a liquid suspension of this medicine, shake the bottle well before each dose. For adults, in liquid form, measure the dose carefully with a special measuring cup/spoon. Do not use a household spoon as you may not get the correct dose. Mix the dose in a glass of water or juice and drink the mixture through a straw to avoid staining your teeth. If you are giving the liquid drops to an infant or child, use the dropper provided to carefully measure the dose. The dose can be given directly into the mouth (back of the tongue) or mixed with formula (not milk), fruit juice, cereal or other foods to increase your child's acceptance. It is best to take this medication immediately after a meal. Follow the instructions on the product packaging for the brand you are using. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
SECUNDARY EFFECTS:Constipation, diarrhea, stomach cramps or stomach pain may occur. These effects are usually temporary and may go away as your body gets used to this medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Iron can turn your stools black, an effect that isn't harmful to you but outweighs the risk of side effects. Many people who take this medication do not experience serious side effects. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek medical help immediately if you experience any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any other effects not listed above. You can report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada: Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS:Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction or other problems. Consult your pharmacist for more details. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially: iron overload disorder (such as hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis), alcohol use/abuse, liver problems, gastrointestinal problems (such as ulcer, colitis). If your brand of iron supplement also contains folic acid, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia) before taking it. Folic acid can falsely improve certain laboratory tests for vitamin B12 deficiency without actually treating this anemia. Untreated vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to serious nerve problems (such as peripheral neuropathy symptoms such as numbness/pain/tingling). Contact your doctor or pharmacist for details. Chewable tablets of this medication may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to limit your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this medication safely. Liquid preparations of this product may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence or liver disease. Consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the safe use of this product. During pregnancy, this medicine should not be used unless clearly necessary. Discuss benefits and risks with your doctor. This drug is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER MEDICINES:Drug interactions can change how your medications work or increase your risk of serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor's approval. This product may decrease the absorption of other medications such as bisphosphonates (eg, alendronate), levodopa, penicillamine, quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), thyroid medications (eg, levothyroxine), and tetracycline antibiotics (eg, , doxycycline, minocycline). Space your doses of these medications from your doses of this product as much as possible. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long to wait between doses, and ask for help finding a dosage schedule that works for all of your medications. Avoid taking this medication at the same time as antacids. Wait at least 2 hours between taking this medication and an antacid. If your brand of iron also contains folic acid, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking certain anti-epileptic drugs (eg hydantoins such as phenytoin). These drugs can interfere with certain laboratory tests (such as fecal occult blood tests) and possibly cause false results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know that you are using this medication.
OVERDOSE:If someone has taken an overdose and has severe symptoms, such as fainting or difficulty breathing, call 911. If not, call a poison control center immediately. US citizens can call their local Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of an overdose can be: stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
COMMENTS:If your doctor has prescribed this medication for you, do not share it with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as a complete blood count) may be performed while you are taking this product. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments. Contact your doctor for details. This medicine is not a substitute for proper nutrition. It is important to pay attention to a balanced diet. Iron-rich foods include red meat (especially liver), fish, beans, dried fruit, and iron-fortified cereals and breads.
LOST DOSE:If you are taking this product at a prescribed time and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. When it's time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the usual time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORE:Keep in a room at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not freeze liquid forms of this medication. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets. Do not flush the medicine down the toilet or drain unless instructed to do so. Dispose of this product properly when it expires or is no longer needed. Contact your pharmacist or local waste disposal service.
Information last revised November 2022. Copyright(c) 2023 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: USE OF THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT contain all possible information about this product. This information does not guarantee that this product is safe, effective or suitable for you. This information does not constitute individual medical advice and does not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.