Take ferrous fumarate 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.
Chew the chewable forms of ferrous fumarate completely before swallowing.
Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure you get the correct
dose, use a dose-measuring cup or spoon, not a regular table spoon to measure the dose. If you
do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Mix the liquid forms of ferrous fumarate with water, juice, or another beverage as
directed and drink the mixture through a straw to prevent staining of the teeth.
Take ferrous fumarate on an empty stomach for best results. If stomach upset occurs,
take ferrous fumarate with food or following a meal.
Ferrous fumarate may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking ferrous fumarate if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
Store ferrous fumarate 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.
If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking ferrous fumarate and seek emergency
medical attention.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue taking ferrous fumarate
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
fumarate. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome.
Do not take ferrous fumarate 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), and trovafloxacin
(Trovan);
levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, Sinemet);
levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, others);
methyldopa (Aldomet); or
penicillamine (Cuprimine).
Ferrous fumarate may decrease the absorption of the drugs listed
above.
Do not take antacids within 2 hours of a dose of ferrous fumarate. Antacids may decrease
the absorption of ferrous fumarate.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ferrous fumarate. Talk to your
doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines while
taking ferrous fumarate.
Keep this medication out of the reach of children. An accidental overdose of iron by
a child can be fatal.
Ferrous fumarate may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking ferrous fumarate if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
Symptoms of a ferrous fumarate overdose include decreased energy; nausea; vomiting;
abdominal pain; tarry stools; a weak, rapid pulse; fever; coma; seizures; and death.
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.
Keep this medication out of the reach of children. An accidental overdose of iron by
a child can be fatal.
Ferrous fumarate may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking ferrous fumarate if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines.
Ferrous fumarate 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
fumarate. Generally, ferrous fumarate should not be taken chronically by individuals with a
normal iron balance.
Talk to your doctor before taking ferrous fumarate if you are pregnant.
Talk to your doctor before taking ferrous fumarate if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ferrous fumarate 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.
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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.
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