Ferrous gluconate

What is the most important information I should know about ferrous gluconate?

Keep this medication out of the reach of children. An accidental overdose of iron by a child can be fatal.

Ferrous gluconate may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking ferrous gluconate if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What is ferrous gluconate?

Ferrous gluconate is a form of the mineral iron. Iron is important for many functions in the body, especially for the transport of oxygen in the blood.

Ferrous gluconate is used as a dietary supplement, and to prevent and to treat iron deficiencies and iron deficiency anemia.

Ferrous gluconate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take ferrous gluconate?

Do not take ferrous gluconate if you have

• hemochromatosis,
• hemosiderosis, or
• hemolytic anemia.

Ferrous gluconate may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

If you do not have an iron deficiency, talk to your doctor about the use of ferrous gluconate. Generally, ferrous gluconate should not be taken chronically by individuals with a normal iron balance.

Talk to your doctor before taking ferrous gluconate if you are pregnant.

Talk to your doctor before taking ferrous gluconate if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take ferrous gluconate?

Take ferrous gluconate exactly as directed by your doctor, or as directed on the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each tablet with a full glass of water.

Take ferrous gluconate on an empty stomach for best results. If stomach upset occurs, take ferrous gluconate with food or following a meal.

To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of ferrous gluconate with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose measuring spoon or cup, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Ferrous gluconate may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking ferrous gluconate if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Store ferrous gluconate at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Keep this medication out of the reach of children. An accidental overdose of iron by a child can be fatal.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time to take the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a ferrous gluconate overdose include decreased energy; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; tarry stools; a weak, rapid pulse; fever; coma; seizures; and death.

What should I avoid while taking ferrous gluconate?

Keep this medication out of the reach of children. An accidental overdose of iron by a child can be fatal.

Ferrous gluconate may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking ferrous gluconate if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What are the possible side effects of ferrous gluconate?

If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking ferrous gluconate and seek emergency medical attention.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue taking ferrous gluconate and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience

• stomach upset,
• nausea or vomiting,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• black or darker than normal appearing stools, or
• temporary staining of the teeth.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur with ferrous gluconate. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect ferrous gluconate?

Do not take ferrous gluconate within 2 hours of a dose of any of the following medicines

• a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Achromycin, Sumycin), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox), demeclocycline (Declomycin), oxytetracycline (Terramycin), or troleandomycin (TAO);
• a fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex) ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), grepafloxacin (Raxar), sparfloxacin (Zagam), or trovafloxacin (Trovan);
• levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, Sinemet);
• levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, others);
• methyldopa (Aldomet); or
• penicillamine (Cuprimine).

Ferrous gluconate may decrease the absorption of the drugs listed above.

Do not take antacids within 2 hours of a dose of ferrous gluconate. Antacids may decrease the absorption of ferrous gluconate.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ferrous gluconate. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines while taking ferrous gluconate.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about ferrous gluconate written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Ferrous gluconate is available over-the-counter generically and under several brand names. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision date: 2/13/04.