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 a glass of water or fruit juice. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow whole. Do not crush or chew. Take this medication in an upright or sitting position. Try to take any bedtime doses at least 10 minutes before lying down. You may take this medication with food. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed 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. Even small amounts of iron can be harmful to a child.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

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
• Breast-feeding

If you are taking this iron product, you should not take iron in any other medication or dietary supplement.

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alendronate
• Antacids
• Cefdinir
• Chloramphenicol
• Cholestyramine
• Deferoxamine
• Dimercaprol
• Etidronate
• Medications for stomach ulcers or other stomach problems
• Pancreatic enzymes
• Quinolone antibiotics (examples: Cipro, Floxin, Levaquin, Tequin and others)
• Risedronate
• Tetracycline antibiotics (examples: doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline, and others)
• 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.

Use iron supplements only as directed by your care team. You will need important blood work while you are taking this medication. It may take 3 to 6 months of therapy to treat low iron levels. Pregnant women should follow the dose and length of iron treatment as directed by their care team.

Do not use iron longer than prescribed, and do not take a higher dose than recommended. Long-term use may cause excess iron to build-up in the body.

Do not take iron with antacids. If you need to take an antacid, take it 2 hours after a dose of iron.