Iron supplement
Iron supplement from the late 19th and early 20th century
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| Trade names | Feosol, Feostat, Feratab, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
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by mouth, IV, IM |
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| Identifiers | |
| Synonyms | iron pills, iron salts, ferrous salts, ferric salts |
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Iron supplements, also known as iron salts and iron pills, are a number of iron formulations used to treat and prevent iron deficiency including iron deficiency anemia. For prevention they are only recommended in those with poor absorption, heavy menstrual periods, pregnancy, hemodialysis, or a diet low in iron. Prevention may also be used in low birth weight babies. They are taken by mouth, injection into a vein, or injection into a muscle. While benefits may be seen in days up to two months may be required until iron levels return to normal.
Common side effects include constipation, abdominal pain, dark stools, and diarrhea. Other side effects, which may occur with excessive use, include iron overload and iron toxicity. Ferrous salts used as supplements by mouth include ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous succinate, and ferrous sulfate. Injectable forms include iron dextran and iron sucrose. They work by providing the iron needed for making red blood cells.
Iron has been used medically since at least 1681 with an easy to use formulation being created in 1832. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. Ferrous salts are available as a generic medication and over the counter. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.05 to 0.63 USD per month. In the United States a typical month of treatment costs less than 25 USD.Slow release formulations, while available, are not recommended.
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