Do you always feel tired and lethargic? Sometimes a doctor may have told you that you are "anemic" or "anemic." In such cases, one of the things that doctors often recommend is iron pills. So, today we will talk about these iron pills, how to use them, and what things to be careful about.
What is iron? Why is it important to us?
Simply put, iron is an essential mineral for our bodies. Just like a car needs oil, our bodies need iron to perform some important functions. The main function of iron is to help make red blood cells in our blood.
Think of these red blood cells as little trucks that carry oxygen throughout our bodies. When we breathe, the oxygen that comes into our lungs is carried to every cell in our bodies, to every nook and cranny. So, if we don't have enough iron to make red blood cells properly, our bodies won't get the oxygen they need. That's when we start to feel tired, lethargic, and pale.
Iron supplements are used primarily to prevent and treat iron deficiency.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting iron pills
Before prescribing iron tablets for you, your doctor will ask you about certain things. However, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to inform your doctor about them. This is very important for your safety.
| Situation / Habit | If this applies to you, please inform your doctor. |
|---|---|
| Intestinal diseases | If you have a long-term intestinal disease such as Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis. |
| Drinking alcohol | If you are a regular drinker. |
| Specific anemias | If you have a type of anemia such as `Hemolytic Anemia`, which causes blood cells to break down quickly. |
| Iron deposition diseases | If you have a condition such as `Hemochromatosis` or `Hemosiderosis`, which causes excess iron to accumulate in the body. |
| Liver diseases | If you have any liver disease. |
| Stomach problems | If you have a stomach ulcer or other gastrointestinal disease. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to iron tablets or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- How to take: Take this pill with a glass of water or a fruit drink. Iron absorption is improved especially when taken with a fruit drink containing vitamin C, such as oranges or tangerines.
- How to swallow: Do not crush or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole.
- Posture: Sit or stand upright when taking the medicine. Do not slouch. If you are taking the medicine at night before bed, take it at least 10 minutes before going to bed.
- With food: Some people may experience mild stomach discomfort or heartburn when taking iron tablets. If this happens, take the medicine with a meal.
- Timing: Take the medicine at the prescribed intervals as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.
What if you accidentally drink too much? (Overdose)
This is very important. Taking too many iron pills can be very dangerous, especially for young children. If you or someone else in your family accidentally takes too many iron pills, don't delay.
Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Also, remember that this medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
With our busy lives, we sometimes forget to take our medicine. If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
Other medications that may interact with iron tablets
You need to be careful if you are taking other medications while taking iron pills, as some medications can interfere with the absorption of iron.
| Type of medicine | Things to watch out for |
|---|---|
| Antacids | These reduce iron absorption. Take these 2 hours before or after taking iron tablets. |
| Some antibiotics | Antibiotics from the `Quinolone` and `Tetracycline` groups (e.g. Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline ) may interact with iron. Ask your doctor about this. |
| Thyroid hormones | Do not take iron tablets with thyroid medication. Consult your doctor about the time interval. |
| Other iron-containing products | If you are taking iron pills, check if other vitamins or supplements contain iron. Too much iron is not good either. |
This list is not complete, so it's best to tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, traditional medicines, and herbal products).
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, iron pills can cause minor side effects. Most of these are not serious, but there are some things to be aware of.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reaction | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Black stool | This is very normal, don't worry. This is what happens when you take iron pills. |
| Constipation | To do this, drink plenty of water and eat foods with fiber (fruits, vegetables). |
| Stomach upset/nausea | This can be reduced by taking the medicine with food. |
| A metallic taste in the mouth | This symptom may disappear as you continue using the medicine. |
Take-Home Message
- Always take iron tablets as prescribed by your doctor, in the prescribed dosage and for the prescribed period of time.
- Never crush or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole.
- It is normal for stool to turn black, but if you experience severe allergic symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
- Most importantly: Do not leave iron tablets where small children can get hold of them. If a small child accidentally swallows an iron tablet, it can be very dangerous.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid taking antacids at the same time as iron tablets.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What are iron supplements (Ferrous Sulfate) most commonly used for?
These are mainly given to cure 'Iron Deficiency Anemia' caused by lack of blood in the body/lack of iron in the blood! Doctors definitely prescribe these pills to immediately increase the strength of the blood (hemoglobin), especially for pregnant mothers, women who bleed heavily during menstruation, and those who are tired/constantly sleepy/fatigue.
💬 Why do you say not to drink milk/tea when taking iron pills? Is vitamin C good?
This is the most important rule to follow when taking iron pills! If you take milk, yogurt, tea (Tea/Tannins), coffee, or a calcium pill within 2 hours of taking an iron pill, it will react with the iron and 'block the absorption of the iron by the body 100%'! But if you take this iron pill with 'Lime/Orange Juice (Vitamin C),' it will magically double the absorption of the iron (Enhances absorption)!
💬 What are the annoying side effects that inevitably come with taking these iron pills?
Number one is 'Severe Constipation' and 'Black stools'! Black stools are nothing to worry about (that's unabsorbed iron), but black stools are annoying. The other problem is (when taken on an empty stomach) severe stomach pain/cramping and nausea! To reduce these, you have to take the medicine with food (or take a stool softener like Docusate).
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