Ferrous sulfate
Also sold as: Feospan, Fer-In-Sol
No prescription neededVitamins and minerals
Comes as:TabletSyrupDrops
Also sold as: Feospan, Fer-In-Sol
Usual adult dose for iron deficiency: one 200 mg tablet (about 65 mg iron) one to three times a day, as advised by your doctor. To prevent anaemia (for example in pregnancy) one tablet a day is usually enough. Children: dose by weight — ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
Medicines that can react with this one.
Antacids reduce iron absorption; take them at least 2 hours apart.
Iron reduces absorption of ciprofloxacin; take the antibiotic 2 hours before or 6 hours after iron.
Iron and doxycycline bind together in the gut; take them at least 2 to 3 hours apart.
Iron reduces levodopa absorption; take them at least 2 hours apart.
Iron reduces absorption of levothyroxine; take them at least 4 hours apart.
Iron reduces absorption of methyldopa; take them at least 2 hours apart.
Iron reduces dolutegravir absorption unless both are taken with food.
Iron blocks absorption; leave 2 to 3 hours between them.
Calcium reduces iron absorption; take them at least 2 hours apart.
Iron and zinc compete for absorption; take them at different times.