Active ingredients (generic names) | IRON (i-on) Other medicines for anaemia Not included in this monograph — see individual monograph or AMH for information: Anaemia medicine combinations Not included in this monograph — see AMH for information: - Iron + folic acid (eg FGF , Fefol , Ferro-F )
- Iron + Vitamin C (eg Ferrograd C )
|
What it is used for | Doses: Children, Adults, Pregnant women |
How it works | - Iron is needed to build red blood cells which carry oxygen to body's cells
- Iron and folic acid normally come from red meat, eggs and leafy vegetables, but sometimes
this isn't enough for the body's needs
|
Side effects | |
 Warnings | 
Anaphylaxis
severe allergic reaction
— rare, with injection Interactions — Do not use together without medical consult - Doxycycline (tetracyclines), antacids, calcium, zinc — take at least 2 hours before
or after iron medicine
- Quinolones (eg ciprofloxacin) — take at least 2 hours before taking iron medicine
|
 Tell the patient | - Too much iron medicine is dangerous. Measure amounts carefully. Keep in a safe place out of reach of children
- Do not take with tea or coffee — they stop it working properly
- Mixture can stain teeth. Mix with water and drink through straw
- Causes dark stools
- Some iron medicines need to be swallowed whole (eg slow-release or coated tablets)
- Eat foods with lots of iron — red meat, leafy vegetables
Take on empty stomach
(unless upsets stomach) |
Check | - Always have anaphylaxis kit with adrenaline (epinephrine) ready when giving iron injections
- Check for and treat cause of anaemia (low iron) (eg heavy periods, NSAIDs, hookworm)
Blood test — do fasting iron studies, if needed |
