Are there iron pills

A healthcare professional may prescribe iron supplements if someone does not have enough iron in their body. People can also purchase over-the-counter iron supplements.

There are numerous iron supplements available, each containing varying amounts of iron. Although they are typically in tablet form, some are also available as a liquid. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron more efficiently, so some manufacturers of iron supplements will add vitamin C to the formulation.

The most common condition that requires iron supplements is iron deficiency anemia. People with iron deficiency anemia do not have enough healthy blood cells to carry oxygen to the parts of the body that need it. This is because there is a shortage of iron in the blood. It is possible to have an iron deficiency but not iron deficiency anemia.

People with an iron deficiency may have the right amount of hemoglobin levels but present with symptoms similar to those of iron deficiency anemia, which include:. People may also take iron supplements for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD or to enhance sports performance. Some research suggests that low iron levels may be associated with ADHD. However, other studies highlight that this may not be the case. Further research is necessary.

Also, a systematic review found that the performance of athletes with a slight iron deficiency improved after taking iron supplements. Other people may choose to take iron supplements despite not having a medical condition that requires them.

In some instances, however, people taking iron supplements may experience the following symptoms:. In most cases, these side effects will subside once the body adjusts to the supplement.

These capsules may suit athletes, as they have the National Sanitation Foundation International certification for sport. This means that the supplements do not contain substances that sporting organizations ban or disallow.

This supplement is free from soy, gluten, dairy, and artificial flavors. It is formulated to prevent digestive discomfort. Learn about what vitamins and minerals athletes need here. It is unlikely that taking iron supplements will lead to any unwanted health effects unless a person is ingesting more than the daily recommended intake of iron. When this occurs, a person may experience :.

It is also possible for an individual to have too much dietary iron in their body. This can lead to conditions such as iron overload disorder and iron poisoning. Anyone who suspects that they may have either condition should seek medical advice. Healthcare professionals will only recommend taking supplemental iron if a person has low iron levels.

People with normal iron levels should not take supplemental iron. If a person thinks that they may have iron deficiency or be at risk of developing it, they should contact a doctor. Healthcare professionals tend to recommend iron supplements to restore healthy iron levels. They will also recommend that people get extra iron during pregnancy. This is due to increased dietary needs.

Most prenatal vitamins contain extra iron. The body requires large amounts of iron during pregnancy, and deficiencies may increase the risk of maternal and infant mortality, low birth weight , and preterm labor. One review found that pregnant people can manage their risk of developing iron deficiency and anemia by taking iron supplements. Learn about the best prenatal vitamins here.

Specifically, a study reports that iron supplements can increase the aerobic capacity of endurance athletes whose iron levels are too low. However, when taking iron supplements, it is important to understand the safe and recommended dosages.

Iron deficiency can sometimes cause anemia, which is a condition where the body does not produce enough red blood cells. Anemia is a common condition, affecting around one-third of the global population. People who suspect they have iron deficiency anemia should contact a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Learn more about iron deficiency here. Some people may wish to increase their dietary iron intake without taking supplements. This can help the iron absorb into your body. Drinking 8 ounces milliliters of fluid with an iron pill is also OK. Constipation due to iron pills is common. If constipation becomes a problem, take a stool softener such as docusate sodium Colace.

Nausea and vomiting may occur with higher doses, but they can be controlled by taking the iron in smaller amounts. Ask your provider about switching to another form of iron rather than just stopping.

Keep tablets in a cool place. Bathroom medicine cabinets may be too warm and humid, which may cause the pills to fall apart. Keep iron supplements out of the reach of children. If your child swallows an iron pill, contact a poison control center right away. Brittenham GM. Disorders of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency and overload. Iron is needed to make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen around your body.

When your body does not have enough iron iron deficiency anaemia , you can feel tired and lacking in energy. Other symptoms may include pale skin, feeling out of breath and heart palpitations. Taking ferrous fumarate will increase the iron levels in your blood and improve or prevent the symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia. Most people begin to feel better after around 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks for the medicine to have full effect. If you are taking ferrous fumarate to prevent anaemia you probably will not feel any different but that does not mean it is not working.

If you're taking ferrous fumarate on prescription, it is important to take it for as long as your doctor tells you to. To prevent iron deficiency anaemia, you will need to take ferrous fumarate for as long as you are at risk of getting this deficiency.

You will take ferrous fumarate for several months to treat iron deficiency anaemia. Your doctor will usually advise you to keep taking it for 3 to 6 months afterwards to help build up your body's iron supply. It's safe to take ferrous fumarate for as long as you need to, provided that your doctor has said it's OK and you are not having any side effects. There are other types of iron, including ferrous sulphate and ferrous gluconate. There is little difference in how well they work when you take an equivalent dose of iron.

If you have a side effect with one type of iron, it may not happen with another type. Iron injections can also be used if tablets or liquid iron do not help, or if your iron levels are very low. Lack of energy is a common symptom when you have iron deficiency anaemia. Having too little iron means your blood cannot carry enough oxygen around your body. This makes you feel tired. Taking ferrous fumarate can give you more energy by boosting your iron levels.

Your doctor may recommend a red blood cell count test after 2 to 4 weeks to see if it's working. If you feel tired, but have not been diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia, it's important to talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking ferrous fumarate.

This is because there may be many reasons why you lack energy. A simple blood test will confirm whether you have anaemia, and your doctor will be able to discuss a results and any treatment with you. When you take ferrous fumarate or when you eat foods that are high in iron , make sure you leave a 2 hour gap before having tea or coffee or any of the foods on this list.

Ferrous fumarate will not stop your contraception working. This includes the combined pill and emergency contraception. However, if ferrous fumarate makes you be sick vomit or have diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy.

Find out what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. There's no firm evidence that ferrous fumarate will affect fertility in either men or women. Yes, you can. Ferrous fumarate does not affect you being able to drive or cycle. If your diet is partly causing iron deficiency anaemia, eating more foods that are rich in iron can help. Page last reviewed: 21 August Next review due: 21 August Ferrous fumarate On this page About ferrous fumarate Key facts Who can and cannot take ferrous fumarate How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About ferrous fumarate Ferrous fumarate is a medicine used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia. It's available on prescription and to buy from pharmacies. Ferrous fumarate works best when taken on an empty stomach. Most people feel better after taking ferrous fumarate for 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks to take full effect.