ferrous sulfate (FeSO4, Feosol)

Indications

prevention & treatment of iron deficiency

Contraindications

hemolytic anemia

pregnancy category: +

safety in lactation: +

Dosage

• 250-325 mg PO QD {TID dosing excessive}

Tabs: 250, 300, 325 mg. (325 mg = 120 mg of elemental iron)

Elixir: (Feosol) 220 mg/5 mL. 5-10 mL TID

Pharmacokinetics

• absorbed in the duodenum & upper jejunum
  • absorptive capacity limited
  • NO benefit to > 325 mg QD
  • NO benefit to > 15 mg (elemental iron) QD in elderly
  • gastric acidity facilitates absorption
• bound to serum transferrin
• excreted in the urine
• hemoglobin values response (increase) within 2-4 weeks

Adverse effects

• GI irritation (dyspepsia)
• nausea/vomiting
• dark stool
• constipation* (especially with doses > 325 mg QD)
• diarrhea

* constipation much more common than diarrhea

Drug interactions

• FeSO4 may decrease absorption of tetracyclines
• antacids & milk may decrease aborption of FeSO4

• drug interaction(s) of iron supplements in combination with antacids

More general terms

• salt
• iron supplement

Additional terms

• Fe+2 (ferrous ion)

Component of

• ferrous sulfate/folic acid
• ascorbate/cholecalciferol/ferrous sulfate/sodium fluoride/vitamin a
• ascorbate/ferrous sulfate/folic acid
• ascorbate/ferrous sulfate
• ascorbate/ferrous sulfate/vitamin A/vitamin D
• ascorbate/ferrous sulfate/vitamin A
• ascorbate/ferrous sulfate/nicotinic acid/pyridoxine/riboflavin/thiamine/vitamin a/vitamin d/vitamin e

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=522651
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=24393
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=62712
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=516917