Ferrous Fumarate

Ferrous fumarate is used as an over-the-counter or prescription medication for treating or preventing iron-deficiency anemia or low iron level associated with chronic hemodialysis with erythropoietin treatment.

• Ferrous fumarate is available under the following different brand names: Feostat, Ferro-Sequels, Hemocyte, Nephro Fer, Palafer

Adult and pediatric dosage

Tablet

• 63mg (20mg Fe)
• 200mg (66mg Fe)
• 324mg (106mg Fe)
• 325mg (107mg Fe)

Tablet extended release

• 150mg (50mg Fe)

Iron Deficiency, Chronic Hemodialysis with Erythropoietin Treatment

Adult dosage

• 150-200 mg Fe (elemental iron)/day orally; may administer 60-100 mg elemental iron every 12 hours or up to 60 mg elemental iron every 6 hours

Iron-deficiency Anemia, Treatment

Pediatric dosage

• 3-6 mg Fe/kg/day every day or divided every 8 hours orally

Prophylaxis of Iron Deficiency

Adult dosage

• 60-100 mg Fe (elemental iron)/day orally

Pediatric dosage

• 1-2 mg Fe/kg/day every day or divided every 8 hours orally or less than 5 mg/day

Recommended Daily Allowance

Pediatric dosage

• Males aged above 10 years: 12 mg/day Fe orally
• Females aged above 10 years: 15 mg/day Fe orally

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of the Ferrous Fumarate include:

• constipation,
• diarrhea, 
• stomach cramps, or 
• upset stomach.

Serious side effects of the Ferrous Fumarate include:

• rash,
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), 
• severe dizziness, or
• trouble breathing.

Rare side effects of the Ferrous Fumarate include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Ferrous Fumarate has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Ferrous Fumarate has serious interactions with the following drugs:
  • baloxavir marboxil
  • demeclocycline
  • doxycycline
  • eltrombopag
  • fleroxacin
  • gemifloxacin
  • levofloxacin
  • minocycline
  • moxifloxacin
  • mycophenolate
  • ofloxacin
  • oxytetracycline
  • tetracycline
• Ferrous Fumarate has moderate interactions with at least 38 other drugs.
• Ferrous Fumarate has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • acetohydroxamic acid
  • calcium acetate
  • calcium carbonate
  • calcium chloride
  • calcium citrate
  • calcium gluconate
  • carbidopa
  • didanosine
  • gymnema
  • manganese
  • vitamin E

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis, hemolytic anemia (unless an iron-deficient state is also present)
• Hypersensitivity

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ferrous fumarate?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ferrous fumarate?”

Cautions

• Do not administer oral iron with parenteral iron
• Absorption may be hindered by antacids containing Al or Mg
• Children below 6 years: Overdose is highly toxic
• Prophylactic Palafer CF during pregnancy should be discontinued at term & switched to Palafer (or other iron supplements) post-parturition

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Pregnancy Category: not available
• Lactation
  • Enters breast milk