What is iron ?

Iron is a mineral. Most of the iron in the body is found in red blood cells and muscle cells. Food sources include meat, fish, beans, spinach, and cereal. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to cells all over the body. Iron also plays a role in many important functions in the body. People commonly use iron for preventing and treating different types of anemia caused by low iron levels. It is also used for heart failure, memory and thinking skills, child development, fatigue, ADHD, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.

What are the uses & effectiveness ?

Effective for Low levels of red blood cells in people with a long-term illness (anemia of chronic disease). Taking iron by mouth or by IV along with other medications such as epoetin alfa can help build red blood cells and prevent or treat anemia in people with certain chronic diseases. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider. Low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia) due to iron deficiency. Taking iron by mouth or by IV is effective for treating and preventing anemia caused by too little iron in the body. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider. Low iron levels during pregnancy. Taking iron by mouth during pregnancy reduces the risk of anemia caused by too little iron in the body. Possibly Effective for Breath-holding attacks. Many children who have breath-holding attacks have low iron levels. Taking iron by mouth reduces the number of breath-holding attacks in children. Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Taking iron by mouth might help improve thinking, learning, and memory in children and adolescents with low iron levels. Heart failure. Up to 20% of people who have heart failure also have low iron levels. Giving iron by IV can improve heart failure symptoms. But taking iron by mouth doesn't seem to help. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider. A disorder that causes leg discomfort and an irresistible urge to move the legs (restless legs syndrome or RLS). Taking iron by mouth or by IV decreases symptoms of RLS such as leg discomfort and sleep problems. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider. Possibly Ineffective for Athletic performance. Taking iron by mouth doesn't improve athletic performance. Child growth. Taking iron by mouth does not help a child grow faster. Preterm birth. Taking iron during pregnancy doesn't seem to reduce the risk for preterm birth. It might actually increase the risk in areas where malaria is common. There is interest in using iron for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

What are the side effects?

Iron is likely safe for most people when used in doses below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 45 mg elemental iron daily. It can cause side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting. Taking iron supplements with food seems to reduce side effects. But food can also reduce how well the body absorbs iron. Doses above the UL should only be used while under medical supervision. Iron is likely unsafe when taken in excessive doses.

What are the precautions and warnings?

Iron is likely safe for most people when used in doses below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 45 mg elemental iron daily. It can cause side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting. Taking iron supplements with food seems to reduce side effects. But food can also reduce how well the body absorbs iron. Doses above the UL should only be used while under medical supervision. Iron is likely unsafe when taken in excessive doses. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Iron is likely safe to use while pregnant and breast-feeding in doses below the UL of 45 mg of elemental iron by mouth daily. But iron is likely unsafe when taken by mouth in high doses. If you do not have iron deficiency, don't take more than 45 mg daily. Higher doses can cause stomach side effects such as nausea and vomiting and may even increase the risk for preterm birth. Children: Iron is likely safe when taken by mouth in doses below the UL of 40 mg of elemental iron daily. But high doses of iron are likely unsafe for children. Iron is the most common cause of poisoning deaths in children. Doses as low as 60 mg/kg can be fatal. Diabetes: High iron intake in the diet might increase the risk of heart disease in females with type 2 diabetes. If you have diabetes, discuss your iron intake with your healthcare provider. Hemodialysis: Iron from supplements might not be absorbed well in people on hemodialysis. Hemoglobin diseases: Taking iron might cause iron overload in people with these conditions. If you have a hemoglobin disease, do not take iron unless directed by your healthcare provider. An inherited disorder that affects the formation of blood vessels (hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia or HHT): Taking iron might increase the risk of nosebleed in patients with HHT. Use with caution. Premature infants: Giving iron to premature infants with low blood levels of vitamin E can cause serious problems. Low levels of vitamin E should be treated before giving iron. Talk with your healthcare provider before giving iron to a premature infant. Physical training: Iron might not be absorbed as well in young females participating in physical training.

What are the interactions?

Moderate InteractionBe cautious with this combination Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics) interacts with IRON Iron can decrease how much quinolone antibiotic the body absorbs from the stomach. Taking iron along with these antibiotics might decrease the effects of these antibiotics. To avoid this interaction, take iron 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking antibiotics. Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with IRON Iron might decrease how much tetracycline antibiotics the body can absorb from the stomach. Taking iron along with these antibiotics might decrease the effects of these antibiotics. To avoid this interaction, take iron 2 hours before or 4 hours after taking tetracyclines. Bisphosphonates interacts with IRON Iron can decrease how much bisphosphonate the body absorbs from the stomach. Taking iron along with bisphosphonate can decrease the effects of bisphosphonate. To avoid this interaction, take bisphosphonate at least two hours before iron or later in the day. Levodopa interacts with IRON Iron might decrease how much levodopa the body absorbs. Taking iron along with levodopa might decrease the effects of levodopa. Do not take iron and levodopa at the same time. Levothyroxine (Synthroid, others) interacts with IRON Levothyroxine is used for low thyroid function. Iron can decrease how much levothyroxine the body absorbs. Taking iron along with levothyroxine might decrease the effects of levothyroxine. Methyldopa (Aldomet) interacts with IRON Iron can decrease how much methyldopa the body absorbs. Taking iron along with methyldopa might decrease the effects of methyldopa. To prevent this interaction, take iron at least two hours before or after taking methyldopa. Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) interacts with IRON Iron might decrease how much mycophenolate mofetil the body absorbs. Taking iron along with mycophenolate mofetil might decrease the effects of mycophenolate mofetil. But it's not clear if this is a big concern. Until more is known, take iron at least 4 hours before, or 2 hours after taking mycophenolate mofetil. Penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen) interacts with IRON Iron might decrease how much penicillamine the body absorbs. This might decrease the effects of penicillamine. To avoid this interaction, take iron 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking penicillamine. Dolutegravir (Tivicay) interacts with IRON Dolutegravir is a drug used for HIV infection. Iron can reduce how much dolutegravir the body absorbs from the stomach. To avoid this interaction, take dolutegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking iron. Medications for HIV/AIDS (Integrase inhibitors) interacts with IRON Taking iron along with integrase inhibitors might decrease blood levels of these drugs. This might decrease their effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are using integrase inhibitors and want to start taking iron.Minor InteractionBe watchful with this combination Chloramphenicol interacts with IRON Iron is important for producing new blood cells. Chloramphenicol might decrease new blood cells. Taking chloramphenicol for a long time might decrease the effects of iron on new blood cells. But most people only take chloramphenicol for a short time so this interaction isn't a big problem.

What is the dosing?

Iron is found in many foods, including beef, liver, lamb, pork, ham, chicken, fish, spinach, and beans. The amount that should be consumed on a daily basis is called the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). For males 19 years and older and females 51 years and older, the RDA is 8 mg. For females 19-50 years of age, the RDA is 18 mg. While pregnant, the RDA is 27 mg. While breast-feeding, the RDA is 10 mg for those 14-18 years of age, and 9 mg for those 19-50 years of age. In children, the RDA depends on age. Don't take more than 45 mg iron daily unless under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.