Can i take ferrous sulfate while pregnant

Avoid taking other iron supplements. Do not take any vitamin or mineral supplements without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Use Ferrous Sulfate Feosol 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.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device not a kitchen spoon. You may need to follow a special diet. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian. Learn about the foods you should eat or avoid. Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose.

Do not take two doses at one time. Overdose symptoms may include severe vomiting, coughing up blood, bloody diarrhea, urinating less, thirst, dry skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, or fainting. Health Topics. Health Tools. Ferrous Sulfate Feosol. Reviewed: June 23, Ferrous sulfate is used to treat iron deficiency. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have ever had: iron overload syndrome; a red blood cell disorder such as thalassemia; or a condition for which you receive regular blood transfusions.

Do not give ferrous sulfate to a child without medical advice. Side Effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe stomach pain or vomiting; cough with bloody mucus or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; fever; or bloody or tarry stools. Other symptoms may include pale skin, feeling out of breath and heart palpitations.

Most people begin to feel better after around 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks for the medicine to have full effect. If you are taking ferrous sulfate to prevent anaemia you probably will not feel any different but that does not mean it is not working. To prevent iron deficiency anaemia, you will need to take ferrous sulfate for as long as you are at risk of becoming anaemic.

You will take ferrous sulfate for several months to treat iron deficiency anaemia. Your doctor will usually advise you to keep taking it for 3 to 6 months afterwards to help build up your body's iron supply. It's safe to take ferrous sulfate for as long as you need to, provided that your doctor has said that it's OK and you are not having any side effects. There are other types of iron, including ferrous fumarate and ferrous gluconate.

There is little difference in how well they work when you take an equivalent dose of iron. If you have a side effect with one type of iron, it may not happen with another type. Iron injections can also be used if tablets or drops do not help, or if your iron levels are very low. These would usually be given in hospital. Lack of energy is a common symptom when you have iron deficiency anaemia.

Having too little iron means your blood cannot carry enough oxygen around your body. This makes you feel tired. Taking ferrous sulfate can give you more energy by boosting your iron levels.

Your doctor may recommend a red blood cell count test after 2 to 4 weeks to see if it's working. If you feel tired, but have not been diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia, it's important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking ferrous sulfate.

This is because there may be many reasons why you lack energy. A simple blood test will confirm whether you are anaemic, and your doctor will be able to discuss your results and any treatment with you. When you take ferrous sulfate or when you eat foods that are high in iron , make sure you leave a 2-hour gap before having tea or coffee or any of the foods on this list.

Ferrous sulfate will not stop your contraception working. This includes the combined pill and emergency contraception. However, if ferrous sulfate makes you sick vomit or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Find out what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. If your diet is partly causing your iron deficiency anaemia, eating more foods that are rich in iron can help.

Page last reviewed: 14 November Next review due: 14 November Ferrous sulfate On this page About ferrous sulfate Key facts Who can and can't take ferrous sulfate How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

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.