WHAT ARE FERROUS SULPHATE TABLETS USED TO TREAT?
Ferrous sulphate (or sulphate) is a medicine used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia.
Iron helps the body to make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Some things such as blood loss, pregnancy or too little iron in your diet can make your iron supply drop too low, leading to iron deficiency anaemia.
Iron deficiency anaemia may have several symptoms such as;
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- Headaches
- Hair loss
HOW DO I TAKE FERROUS SULPHATE TABLETS?
The dose of ferrous sulphate depends on why you’re taking it and whether you have tablets, capsules or drops. Ferrous sulphate works best when you take it on an empty stomach. However, if it upsets your stomach, you can take it with or after food. The tablets should not be sucked, chewed or kept in the mouth, but swallowed whole with water.
To treat anaemia; The usual dose for adults is:
- One 200mg tablet, taken 2 to 3 times a day
To prevent anaemia; The usual dose for adults is:
- One 200mg tablet, taken once a day
WHAT ARE THE CAUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH TAKING FERROUS SULPHATE TABLETS?
There are some medicines that may interfere with how ferrous sulphate works. Ferrous sulphate can also affect the way other medicines work.
It is a good idea to leave a gap between taking the other medicine and ferrous sulphate. Some medicines should not be taken for 2 hours before or after taking ferrous sulphate.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice on how long the gap should be.
Please note this medication also contains: spray dried liquid glucose, lactose and sucrose.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF FERROUS SULFATE TABLETS?
Like all medicine, ferrous sulphate can cause side effects in some people.
Many people have no side effects or only minor ones which should subside within a few days or weeks of continuous use of the medication.
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 stool.
For further additional information on the side effects associated with using this medication, please read the product patient information leaflet.
