Ferrous fumarate is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. In your body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin (HEEM o glo bin) and myoglobin (MY o glo bin). Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.

Ferrous fumarate is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body).

Ferrous fumarate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use ferrous fumarate if you have iron overload syndrome, or other red blood cell disorders.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if a child has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of ferrous fumarate can be fatal to a child younger than 6 years old.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Take ferrous fumarate on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Take with food if ferrous fumarate upsets your stomach.

You may need frequent medical tests.

You may need to follow a special diet while using ferrous fumarate. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian. Learn about the foods to eat to make sure you get enough iron from both your diet and your medication.

Do not take this medicine for longer than 6 months without a doctor's advice.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Usual Adult Dose for Iron Deficiency Anemia:

Initial dose: 360 mg/day ferrous fumarate (120 mg/day elemental iron) for 3 months
-Give in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

Usual Adult Dose for Anemia Associated with Chronic Renal Failure:

Initial dose: 600 mg/day ferrous fumarate (200 mg/day elemental iron) orally in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

Comments:
-If goals are not met with oral iron after 1 to 3 months, consider IV iron supplementation.
-Smaller daily doses may be better tolerated.

Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation:

Initial dose: 1 tablet orally once a day

or

Initial dose: 18 to 54 mg/day ferrous fumarate (6 to 18 mg/day elemental iron) orally, in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

51 and over: 15 to 24 mg/day ferrous fumarate (5 to 8 mg/day elemental) orally, in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Iron Deficiency Anemia:

0 to 5 years: 9 to 18 mg/kg/day ferrous fumarate (3 to 6 mg/kg/day elemental iron)
5 to 12 years: 180 mg ferrous fumarate (60 mg/day elemental)
12-18 years male: 360 mg ferrous fumarate (120 mg elemental) orally daily
12-18 years female: 180 to 360 mg/day ferrous fumarate (60 to 120 mg/day elemental)
-Give in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation:

Preterm infant (less than 37 weeks gestation), 0 to 12 months: 6 mg/kg/day ferrous fumarate (2 mg/kg/day elemental iron)
0 to 6 months: 0.6 to 0.81 mg/day ferrous fumarate (0.2 to 0.27 mg/day elemental)
7 to 12 months: 21 to 33 mg/day ferrous fumarate (7 to 11 mg/day elemental)
1 to 3 years: 12 to 27 mg/day ferrous fumarate (4 to 9 mg/day elemental)
4 to 8 years: 12 to 30 mg/day ferrous fumarate (4 to 10 mg/day elemental)
9 to 13 years: 18 to 24 mg/day ferrous fumarate (6 to 8 mg/day elemental)
14 to 18 years: 24 to 45 mg/day ferrous fumarate (8 to 15 mg/day elemental)
-Give in divided doses (1 to 3 times daily)

or

Tablets (324 to 325 mg ferrous fumarate, 106 mg elemental iron)
12 years and older: 1 tablet orally once a day

You should not use ferrous fumarate if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• iron overload syndrome; or

• hemolytic anemia.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if ferrous fumarate is safe to use if you have ever had:

• a stomach ulcer;

• an intestinal disorder such as ulcerative colitis; or

• blood transfusions.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

Do not give ferrous fumarate to a child without the advice of a doctor.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if you think you have used too much of ferrous fumarate, or if a child has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of ferrous fumarate can be fatal to a child younger than 6 years old.

Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold or clammy skin, blue lips, and loss of consciousness.

Avoid eating foods that are high fiber at the same time you take your ferrous fumarate dose. High-fiber foods include whole grains, raw vegetables, and bran.

Avoid milk or other dairy products for at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take ferrous fumarate.

Do not take any vitamin or mineral supplements that your doctor has not prescribed or recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Ferrous fumarate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain;

• severe nausea or vomiting;

• coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

• blood or tarry stools; or

• bright red blood in your stools.

Common side effects of ferrous fumarate may include:

• constipation, diarrhea;

• stomach cramps;

• loss of appetite; or

• black or dark-colored stools or urine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective. Ask your doctor how much time to allow between your ferrous fumarate dose and other medicines you use, especially:

• an antacid or stomach acid reducer;

• an antibiotic;

• thyroid medication;

• medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;

• osteoporosis medication; or

• seizure medication.

Other drugs may affect ferrous fumarate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.