What are the side effects of iron tablets?
Iron is a mineral found mostly in red blood cell hemoglobin and muscle cell myoglobin. Iron is needed to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. Low levels of iron in the body can lead to anemia. Iron tablets are one of the supplements that cause side effects, especially gastrointestinal side effects, in many people. In this article, we will acquaint you with the side effects of taking iron tablets.
What we read in this article
How does iron supplementation help treat anemia?
Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body. Low levels of red blood cells should be treated with iron tablets. Anemia is caused by not consuming enough iron in your diet, as well as many chronic diseases, such as kidney disease or cancer and AIDS. For people with mild anemia, it is usually recommended to take an iron supplement every other day to reduce side effects. But people with severe anemia may even need iron pills more than once a day.
Failure to treat anemia can lead to a weakened immune system, chronic fatigue, rapid or irregular heartbeat, premature birth, and poor fetal growth, as well as an increased risk of depression.
Unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, paleness, headache and dizziness, palpitations, swelling of the tongue, dry skin and hair, cold hands and feet, and early onset of illness are symptoms of iron deficiency.
Side effects of taking iron tablets
When iron is consumed in the right amounts orally, it often does not cause any side effects. However, in some people, the following side effects may occur after taking iron supplements:
Gastrointestinal side effects after taking iron tablets
Taking iron supplements orally in many people is associated with symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea and vomiting. In case of these side effects, a simple solution is to use iron tablets with food. Note that iron tablets on an empty stomach are better absorbed by the body, and food can interfere with and reduce iron absorption. However, if a person suffers from gastrointestinal problems while eating this product, doctors usually advise him to take his supplement with food.
Research shows that iron tablets in the form of iron bisglycinate significantly reduce the risk of gastrointestinal complications. So another way to reduce gastrointestinal side effects is to use iron supplements in the form of bisglycinate. Some people also prefer to take their iron supplement the night before bed to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Blackening of stool color
Another common side effect of taking iron tablets is blackening of the stool color, which many consumers complain about and express concern about. We must say that this complication is completely harmless and occurs due to the lack of complete absorption of iron in the body. Even if your multivitamin contains iron, you may have black stools.
Darkening of teeth color
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In cases where iron supplementation is used in the form of syrup or drops, the complication of darkening of the teeth may be observed. Stains on teeth are caused by the use of iron syrup due to iron salts and iron sulfide, and of course the mechanism of this action is unknown in some ways. Fortunately, iron-free tooth drops are now available in pharmacies and are used for children over 6 months of age. In the formulation of this type of supplement, iron ions are not in direct contact with the mouth and teeth.
Other side effects of taking iron tablets
If you notice these side effects after taking iron supplements, see your doctor:
- Back pain and muscle aches
- Chest pain
- لرز
- faint
- Fever with increased sweating
- Skin rash or urticaria
- Swelling of the mouth and throat
- Respiratory disorders
- Flushing
The best time to take iron tablets
As mentioned earlier, the best time to take iron pills is when your stomach is empty. In this case, iron supplementation will be better absorbed by your body. Therefore, take iron tablets one hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. But if you have side effects from taking iron pills, it may be best to take this supplement with meals or just after eating. Be careful not to take iron tablets with coffee, tea or dairy products as they reduce the body’s absorption of iron. Eat your iron capsule along with sources of vitamin C (for example, 1 glass of orange juice) to increase the absorption of this mineral in the body.
Dosage of iron tablets to treat anemia
In adulthood, after the age of 18, the recommended amount of iron is 8 mg for men and 18 mg for women. If iron deficiency anemia is present, 50 to 100 mg of iron 3 times a day for 3 to 6 months should be used. In some cases, women may be given doses between 30 and 120 mg per week. If pregnant women have anemia, the recommended dose is usually 45 mg per day. In cases of anemia such as restless legs syndrome, iron sulfate at 325 mg twice daily for 12 weeks is usually recommended.
Drug interaction of iron tablets
Before taking iron tablets, give your doctor a list of your medications to check for drug interactions. Iron supplements may interact with the following drugs:
- Antibiotics Tetracycline
- Quinolone antibiotics
- Bisphosphonates
- لوودوپا
- Levothyroxine
- Methyl dopa (aldomet)
- Mycophenolate mofetil
- پنیسیلامین
Iron tablets may also interfere with chloramphenicol.
The final word
Pain, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and dark stools are the most common side effects of taking iron pills. If you use syrup or iron drops instead of pills, you may also experience darker teeth. To maximize iron absorption in the body, never forget to take vitamin C sources along with iron supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions about the side effects of taking iron pills
How do we know if we have anemia or not?
The safest way is to have a blood test. The symptoms of iron deficiency in the body are the same as the symptoms of many other nutrient deficiencies, so it is not enough to look at the symptoms alone.
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What are the symptoms of anemia?
Weakness and fatigue, hair loss, shortness of breath during activity, palpitations, inflammation of the tongue, cold hands and feet, paleness and brittle nails are some of the symptoms of anemia.
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What are the side effects of taking too many iron pills?
If too much iron is consumed by the body, it will cause poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning may include diarrhea, vomiting, fever, blood clotting disorders, and liver and kidney damage.
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When should we take iron tablets?
The best time to take iron tablets is 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal on an empty stomach. But if you have gastrointestinal problems, take this supplement with food.
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What is an iron pill without gastrointestinal side effects?
Some iron tablets are formulated in a way that minimizes gastrointestinal side effects. These supplements include: Sideral Fort Formanotra Capsule, Framax 100 Biosynt, Iron Base Glycinate Health Tablet, and Easy Iron Natural World Capsule.
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What factors affect the absorption of iron in the body?
There are two types of iron: heme and non-heme. Iron, which is found in animal sources, is more easily absorbed by the body. Consumption of tea, coffee and calcium sources will reduce the absorption of iron in the body. But sources of vitamin C increase iron absorption.
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When is the best time to take iron and folic acid pills?
Iron tablets are best taken on an empty stomach, and folic acid tablets are best taken in the morning for better absorption. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins and can be taken on an empty stomach.
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How long should I use iron tablets?
The exact time is determined by your doctor, but even if you have severe anemia, it is usually not recommended to take iron supplements for more than 5 months.
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