iron polysaccharide

Pronunciation:	I ern paw lee SACK ah ride
Brand:	Fe-Tinic 150, Hytinic, Niferex, Nu-Iron, Nu-Iron 150, Poly Iron

What is the most important information I should know about iron polysaccharide?

Keep this medication out of the reach of children. An accidental overdose of iron by a child can be fatal.

Iron polysaccharide may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking iron polysaccharide if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What is iron polysaccharide?

Iron polysaccharide is a form of the mineral iron. Iron is important for many functions in the body, especially for the transport of oxygen in the blood.

Iron polysaccharide is used as a dietary supplement, and to prevent and to treat iron deficiencies and iron deficiency anemia.

Iron polysaccharide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take iron polysaccharide?

Do not take iron polysaccharide if you have

hemochromatosis,
hemosiderosis, or
hemolytic anemia.

Iron polysaccharide may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions listed above.

If you do not have an iron deficiency, talk to your doctor about the use of iron polysaccharide. Generally, iron polysaccharide should not be taken chronically by individuals with a normal iron balance.

Talk to your doctor before taking iron polysaccharide if you are pregnant.

Talk to your doctor before taking iron polysaccharide if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take iron polysaccharide?

Take iron polysaccharide exactly as directed by your doctor, or as directed on the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each tablet with a full glass of water.

Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure you get the correct dose, use a dose-measuring cup or spoon, not a regular table spoon to measure the dose. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Mix the liquid forms of iron polysaccharide with water, juice, or another beverage as directed and drink the mixture through a straw to prevent staining of the teeth.

Take iron polysaccharide on an empty stomach for best results. If stomach upset occurs, take iron polysaccharide with food or following a meal.

Store iron polysaccharide at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Keep this medication out of the reach of children. An accidental overdose of iron by a child can be fatal.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time to take the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a iron polysaccharide overdose include decreased energy; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; tarry stools; a weak, rapid pulse; fever; coma; seizures; and death.

What should I avoid while taking iron polysaccharide?

Keep this medication out of the reach of children. An accidental overdose of iron by a child can be fatal.

What are the possible side effects of iron polysaccharide?

If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking iron polysaccharide and seek emergency medical attention.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue taking iron polysaccharide and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you experience

stomach upset,
nausea or vomiting,
constipation,
diarrhea,
black or darker than normal appearing stools, or
temporary staining of the teeth.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur with iron polysaccharide. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect iron polysaccharide?

Do not take iron polysaccharide within 2 hours of a dose of any of the following medicines

a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Achromycin, Sumycin), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox), demeclocycline (Declomycin), oxytetracycline (Terramycin), or troleandomycin (TAO);
a fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex) ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), grepafloxacin (Raxar), sparfloxacin (Zagam), or trovafloxacin (Trovan);
levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar, Sinemet);
levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, others);
methyldopa (Aldomet); or
penicillamine (Cuprimine).

Iron polysaccharide may decrease the absorption of the drugs listed above.

Do not take antacids within 2 hours of a dose of iron polysaccharide. Antacids may decrease the absorption of iron polysaccharide.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with iron polysaccharide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines while taking iron polysaccharide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about iron polysaccharide written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Iron polysaccharide is available over-the-counter generically and under several brand names. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.07. Revision date: 3/15/06.

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