Ferrous gluconate is a common ingredient in prescription and over-the-counter iron supplements. Though iron supplements are not always necessary, they can help people avoid or treat low iron levels. Ferrous gluconate is an iron salt. It is readily absorbed in the gut but can cause gastrointestinal problems. Most crucially, iron supplements can make many prescription drugs less effective.
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Ferrous Gluconate overview
BRAND NAMES:
Ferate, Fergon, Ferralet
Generic Names:
Ferrous gluconate
Uses:
Prevents or treats iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia
Therapeutic Classes:
Iron supplement, nutritive agent
Forms:
Tablet, liquid
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Ferrous Gluconate used for?
People use ferrous gluconate supplements to ensure adequate daily iron intake or meet increased iron needs. Healthcare professionals prescribe higher-dose ferrous gluconate supplements to treat or prevent iron deficiency and anemia, or to meet the increased iron needs of pregnancy or other medical conditions.
What form(s) does Ferrous Gluconate come in?
Healthcare providers usually indicate the dosage strength of ferrous gluconate products based on the amount of elemental iron per dose.
Most ferrous gluconate products list the elemental iron dose on the package, but some also list the elemental iron and ferrous gluconate amounts.
Tablet
27 mg elemental iron (240 mg ferrous gluconate)
28 mg elemental iron (248 mg ferrous gluconate)
35 mg (300 mg ferrous gluconate)
37.5 mg elemental iron (321 mg ferrous gluconate)
38 mg elemental iron (324 mg ferrous gluconate)
Drops/oral solution
10 mg elemental iron/5 mL
10 mg elemental iron/10 mL
18 mg elemental iron/2.5 mL
What are common Ferrous Gluconate dosages?
Recommended daily intake (elemental iron):
For adults 19–50 years of age: 8 mg/day for men and 18 mg/day for women
For adults 51 years of age and older: 8 mg/day
For pregnant women (adult and adolescent): 27 mg/day
For lactating women 19 years of age and older: 9 mg/day
For lactating girls 14–18 years: 10 mg/day
For children 14–18 years: 11 mg/day for boys and 15 mg/day for girls
For children 9–13 years: 8 mg/day
For children 4–8 years: 10 mg/day
For children 1–3 years: 7 mg/day
For children 7–12 months: 11 mg/day
For newborns to infants up to the age of 6 months: 0.27 mg/day (adequate intake)
For iron deficiency anemia:
In adults: 100–200 mg elemental iron daily taken in divided doses
In children: 60–120 mg elemental iron daily, depending on age
To prevent iron deficiency during pregnancy: 30 mg elemental iron per day
For breastfed infants:
Preterm or low birth weight: 2–4 mg/kg elemental iron per day given as drops to a maximum of 15 mg elemental iron/day
Receiving insufficient iron from supplementary foods by age 6 months: 1 mg/kg elemental iron daily given as drops
Ferrous Gluconate images - What does Ferrous Gluconate look like?
Ferrous Gluconate
100 tablets bottleFerrous Gluconate
1000 tablets bottleFerrous Gluconate
324 (37.5 fe)mg tabletFerrous Gluconate
324 (38 fe)mg tablet
How to take Ferrous Gluconate
Follow the directions on the label. Do not take more than the recommended dose.
If taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider, do not take more than prescribed. Carefully follow the prescriber’s instructions about any special diet.
Take ferrous gluconate doses 30 minutes before or two hours after a meal. Take the medicine with a full glass of water or fruit juice.
If the dose causes stomach problems, take it with food.
How to take ferrous gluconate tablets:
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water or other liquid. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Store ferrous gluconate tablets in a closed container at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
How to administer ferrous gluconate drops or solution:
Shake the bottle well before administering a dose.
Use the calibrated oral syringe or dropper that comes with this medicine to measure doses.
Use a calibrated teaspoon if indicated on the package directions
Take the dose in the mouth or mixed with water, juice, or other liquid.
Ask a healthcare provider if you need to give iron supplements to infants or children.
Store ferrous gluconate tablets at room temperature, out of the reach of children.
Follow the package instructions when storing ferrous gluconate liquid.
What to do if you miss a dose of Ferrous Gluconate
Take a missed dose when remembered.
If you are taking one dose per day, take a missed dose on the day it was missed. Skip it if it’s the next day, and take that day’s dose.
If you’re taking more than one dose per day, take the missed dose when you remember it. If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its regular time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Ferrous Gluconate contraindications - Who shouldn't take Ferrous Gluconate?
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to iron supplements or if you have:
Hemochromatosis (a condition in which your digestive system absorbs too much iron)
Hemosiderosis (excessive iron deposits in the body’s tissues)
Hemolytic anemia
Ferrous Gluconate warnings
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, don’t start ferrous gluconate supplements without talking to a healthcare provider.
Get medical advice before starting ferrous gluconate if you have:
Stomach or intestinal problems
Diabetes
An active infection
Porphyria
Other medical conditions
Make sure any doctor or healthcare provider who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
Iron supplements may affect certain medical tests.
Iron supplements can darken stools, even turning them black. This is normal (the iron is black), but can easily be confused with internal bleeding. If there are other symptoms, call a healthcare provider.
Ferrous gluconate liquid may stain your teeth.
Try diluting the medicine with water or other liquids (such as fruit juice or tomato juice) and using a straw to avoid getting the iron liquid on the teeth.
You can remove iron stains by brushing your teeth with baking soda or peroxide.
Accidental overdose of iron supplements is the leading cause of fatal poisoning in very young children. Store ferrous gluconate supplements in securely capped childproof containers out of the reach of children.
Ferrous Gluconate interactions & what to avoid when taking Ferrous Gluconate
Iron supplements can block the body’s ability to absorb other drugs, particularly many types of antibiotics. If you are taking any prescription drugs, talk to a healthcare provider before taking ferrous gluconate or other iron supplements.
Tell any healthcare provider prescribing new medications that you are taking ferrous gluconate or other iron supplements.
Do not take oral iron supplements if you are also receiving iron injections.
Avoid taking ferrous gluconate with:
Antacids
Milk
Calcium-containing products
High-fiber foods
Caffeine
Ferrous Gluconate side effects - How does Ferrous Gluconate make you feel?
Serious side effects
Most serious side effects of iron supplements are due to chronic overuse or overdosing. Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice any signs or symptoms of iron poisoning or overdose, such as:
Black and tarry stools (with other symptoms), bloody stools, bloody vomit, blood clots in the vomit, persistent abdominal pain
Wheezing, shallow breathing, trouble breathing (especially when lying down)
Nausea, vomiting, pallor, blue skin
Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, lethargy, seizures, coma
Rapid breathing, rapid heart rate
Weakness, yellowing of the skin or eyes
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less serious side effects
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gas
Stomach discomfort
Metallic taste in the mouth
Change in stool color
Sources:
Ferrous gluconate tablet drug information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Iron, StatPearls
Iron overdose, Mount Sinai
Iron poisoning, Merck Consumer Manual
Iron supplementation, StatPearls
Iron supplements for anemia, Cleveland Clinic
Iron toxicity, StatPearls
Recommendations to prevent and control iron deficiency in the United States, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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