Iron Supplement (Oral Route, Parenteral Route)

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Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Backache , groin, side, or muscle pain
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever with increased sweating
• Flushing
• Headache
• Metallic taste
• Nausea or vomiting
• Numbness, pain, or tingling of hands or feet
• Pain or redness at injection site
• Redness of skin
• Skin rash or hives
• Swelling of mouth or throat
• Troubled breathing

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Cramping (continuing) or soreness

• Double vision
• General unwell feeling
• Weakness without feeling dizzy or faint

• Chest or throat pain, especially when swallowing
• Stools with signs of blood (red or black color)

• Diarrhea (may contain blood)
• Fever
• Nausea
• Stomach pain or cramping (sharp)
• Vomiting, severe (may contain blood)

Symptoms of iron overdose may not occur for up to 60 minutes or more after the overdose was taken. By this time you should have had emergency room treatment. Do not delay going to emergency room while waiting for signs to appear.

• Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, and palms of hands
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Pale, clammy skin
• Shallow and rapid breathing
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Weak and fast heartbeat

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Leg cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting

• Darkened urine
• Heartburn
• Stained teeth

Stools commonly become dark green or black when iron preparations are taken by mouth. This is caused by unabsorbed iron and is harmless. However, in rare cases, black stools of a sticky consistency may occur along with other side effects such as red streaks in the stool, cramping, soreness, or sharp pains in the stomach or abdominal area. Check with your health care professional immediately if these side effects appear.

If you have been receiving injections of iron, you may notice a brown discoloration of your skin. This color usually fades within several weeks or months.

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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