Iron Capsules or Tablets (Supplement)

IRON (EYE ern) prevents and treats low levels of iron in your body. Iron is a mineral that plays an important role in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Do not cut, crush, or chew this medication. Swallow the capsules or tablets whole. Take this medication in an upright or sitting position. Take this medication while standing or sitting. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

Take antacids at a different time of day that this medication. Take this medication 2 hours before or 2 hours after antacids.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dark stools
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Nausea
• Upset stomach

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer wanted or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Bowel disease
• Frequently drink alcohol
• Hemolytic anemia
• Iron overload (hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis)
• Liver disease
• Problems with swallowing
• Stomach ulcer or other stomach problems
• An unusual or allergic reaction to iron, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

• Antacids
• Certain antibiotics, such as cefdinir, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline
• Certain medications for stomach problems, such as antacids, famotidine, omeprazole
• Certain medications for weak bones, such as alendronate, etidronate, risedronate
• Cholestyramine
• Thyroid hormones

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.