Ferrous gluconate

Generic name: Ferrous Gluconate
Dosage form: oral tablet (240 mg; 324 mg)
Drug class: Iron products

Usage of Ferrous gluconate

Ferrous gluconate is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. In your body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin (HEEM o glo bin) and myoglobin (MY o glo bin). Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.

Ferrous gluconate is used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body).

Ferrous gluconate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ferrous gluconate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, blistering or peeling skin; fever; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Ferrous gluconate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

bright red blood in your stools;

black or tarry stools;

a fever;

stomach pain;

coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or

pain in your chest or throat when swallowing a ferrous gluconate tablet.

Common side effects of ferrous gluconate may include:

constipation, diarrhea;

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

loss of appetite;

green-colored stools; or

temporary staining of the teeth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ferrous gluconate

You should not use ferrous gluconate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

iron overload disorder (hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis); or

hemolytic anemia (caused by the breakdown of red blood cells).

To make sure ferrous gluconate is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

ulcerative colitis;

stomach ulcers or similar stomach problems;

thalassemia (a genetic disorder of red blood cells); or

if you receive regular blood transfusions.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

Ferrous gluconate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

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How to use Ferrous gluconate

Usual Adult Dose for Iron Deficiency Anemia:

Initial dose: 960 mg/day ferrous gluconate (120 mg/day elemental iron) for 3 months-Give in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation:

Initial dose: 1 tablet orally three to four times a dayor Initial dose: 48 to 144 mg/day ferrous gluconate (6 to 18 mg/day elemental iron) orally, in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)51 and over: 40 to 64 mg/day ferrous gluconate (5 to 8 mg/day elemental) orally, in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

Usual Adult Dose for Anemia Associated with Chronic Renal Failure:

Initial dose: 1600 mg/day ferrous gluconate (200 mg/day elemental iron) orally in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)Comments:-If goals are not met with oral iron after 1 to 3 months, consider IV iron supplementation.-Smaller daily doses may be better tolerated

Usual Pediatric Dose for Iron Deficiency Anemia:

0 to 5 years: 24 to 48 mg/kg/day ferrous gluconate (3 to 6 mg/kg/day elemental iron)5 to 12 years: 480 mg ferrous gluconate (60 mg/day elemental)12 to 18 years male: 480 mg ferrous gluconate (60 mg elemental) orally daily12 to 18 years female: 480 to 960 mg/day ferrous gluconate (60 to 120 mg/day elemental)-Give in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation:

Preterm infant (less than 37 weeks gestation), 0 to 12 months: 16 mg/kg/day ferrous gluconate (2 mg/kg/day elemental iron) 0 to 6 months: 1.6 to 2.16 mg/day ferrous gluconate (0.2 to 0.27 mg/day elemental)7 to 12 months: 56 to 88 mg/day ferrous gluconate (7 to 11 mg/day elemental)1 to 3 years: 32 to 72 mg/day ferrous gluconate (4 to 9 mg/day elemental)4 to 8 years: 32 to 80 mg/day ferrous gluconate (4 to 10 mg/day elemental)9 to 13 years: 48 to 64 mg/day ferrous gluconate (6 to 8 mg/day elemental)14 to 18 years: 64 to 120 mg/day ferrous gluconate (8 to 15 mg/day elemental)-Give in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

Warnings

You should not use ferrous gluconate if you have hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, or hemolytic anemia.

What other drugs will affect Ferrous gluconate

Other drugs may interact with ferrous gluconate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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