What is this drug used for?

• Used for iron-deficiency anemia caused by chronic blood loss, such as bleeding from menstruation, hemorrhoids and uterine fibroids.
• It can also be used for the iron-deficiency anemia caused by malnutrition and maternal iron deficiency anemia.

How is this drug best taken?
Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Take by mouth only.
• Take 1 to 2 tablets once a day for adults, as prescribed by your doctor.
• Certain foods and medicines can reduce the effectiveness of iron tablets.
• Iron tablets usually should not be taken with food, certain antibiotics, tea, coffee, calcium supplements, or milk. Iron should be taken one hour before or two hours after these items.

• If you take antacids, your iron tablets should be taken two hours before or four hours after the antacids
• Iron tablets are best absorbed in an acidic environment; taking iron with vitamin C tablet or orange juice can enhance iron absorption

What are some side effects of oral iron?
• Some people experience a metallic taste, nausea, constipation, stomach upset, dark-colored stools, and/or vomiting after taking oral iron.
• Options for dealing with these side effects include:

   ○ Take a smaller dose

   ○ Take iron with food (even though this will reduce the amount of iron your body absorbs, it's still better than not taking it at all)

   ○ Switch to injectable iron

• Taking iron tablets will turn the stool a dark, almost black color (actually dark green). This is to be expected and does NOT mean that the iron tablets are causing intestinal bleeding.

What do I do if I miss a dose?
• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.

• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.

• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Storage conditions
1. Store in a cool and dry place (10-30 ℃). Children are at particular risk of iron poisoning, making it very important to store iron tablets out of the reach of children.

Reference:
1. New edition of pharmacology
2. Product package insert
3. Up to date