From the Guidelines
Ferrous sulphate is a commonly used medication for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, with typical dosing ranging from 200 mg orally twice daily 1 to 200 mg orally three times daily 1. It is also used for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women and menstruating women, with a recommended dose of 200-300 mg orally once daily 1. Additionally, ferrous sulphate is used to treat iron deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease, with dosing adjusted based on individual patient needs and serum iron levels, typically 1000 mg/d 1.
Key Points
- The treatment duration typically ranges from 3-6 months, depending on the severity of the iron deficiency and patient response to therapy 1.
- Ascorbic acid may enhance iron absorption and should be considered when response is poor 1.
- Ferrous sulphate is available in various formulations, including tablets and liquid preparations, and can be taken with or without food 1.
- It is essential to monitor hemoglobin levels and adjust the dosage as needed to ensure effective treatment 1.
- In cases where oral iron is not tolerated, parenteral iron may be considered, but it is typically reserved for patients with severe iron deficiency or those who are unable to absorb iron orally 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
CONTAINS: Each tablet contains 324 mg of ferrous sulfate, equivalent to 65 mg of elemental iron, providing 362% of the U.S. recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron for adults and children 4 and older. The uses of ferrous sulfate (iron supplement) are to provide iron for adults and children 4 and older, likely for the treatment or prevention of iron deficiency.
- The recommended daily intake is met or exceeded by the dosage provided. The exact uses are not explicitly stated, but based on the information about the RDI of iron, it can be inferred that ferrous sulfate is used to supplement iron in the diet 2.
From the Research
Uses of Ferrous Sulfate
Ferrous sulfate is commonly used as an iron supplement to treat iron deficiency anemia. The following are some of the uses of ferrous sulfate:
- Treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women 3, 4, 5
- Prevention of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy 4
- Treatment of iron deficiency anemia in non-pregnant individuals 6, 7
- Restoration of iron stores in individuals with iron deficiency 6, 7
Efficacy and Tolerability
Studies have shown that ferrous sulfate is effective in improving hemoglobin levels and restoring iron stores 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. However, it may cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 4, 6. A prolonged release formulation of ferrous sulfate has been shown to have a better gastrointestinal tolerance profile compared to the standard formulation 6.
Comparison with Other Iron Formulations
Ferrous sulfate has been compared to other iron formulations such as ferrous fumarate, ferrous ascorbate, and carbonyl iron in terms of efficacy and tolerability 3. It has also been compared to intravenous iron preparations such as ferric carboxymaltose and iron polymaltose 5. The results of these studies suggest that ferrous sulfate is as effective as other iron formulations in treating iron deficiency anemia, but may have a better tolerability profile compared to some formulations 3, 6.