Black and Mexican-American Women at a Higher Risk
In a study of the 1999-2000 NHANES data, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the prevalence of iron deficiency was twice as high among non-Hispanic, black women and Mexican-American women (19-22%) than among non-Hispanic, white women (10%).1
Similar results were found in a study of female military personnel in the US Army. Iron deficiency anemia was identified in 21.9% of Hispanic military personnel, compared with 22.9% of African-American personnel and 10.5% of Caucasian personnel.2
Vegetarians Need More Iron
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), vegetarians may need almost twice as much iron in their diets as non-vegetarians, because the non-heme iron they ingest is less absorbable than the heme iron that comes from eating meat or animal products.3
Some Athletes at a Higher Risk
The NIH also defines 3 groups of athletes are at a high risk of iron deficiency. Female athletes, distance runners, and vegetarian athletes may eat less iron or may lose iron more quickly than people who exercise less or often or less vigorously.3
Important Safety Information
WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. KEEP THIS PRODUCT OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
Warning
Folic acid alone is improper therapy in the treatment of pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias where vitamin B12 is deficient.
Precautions
Administration of Drug- General: Take 2 hours after meals. Do not exceed recommended dose. Discontinue use if symptoms of intolerance appear. The type of anemia and underlying cause or causes should be determined before starting therapy with Ferralet® 90 tablets. Ensure Hgb, Hct, reticulocyte count are determined before starting therapy and periodically thereafter during prolonged treatment. Periodically review therapy to determine if it needs to be continued without change or if a dose change is indicated. This product contains FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) which may cause allergic type reactions (including bronchial asthma) in certain susceptible persons. Although the overall incidence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) sensitivity in the general population is low, it is frequently seen in patients who also have aspirin hypersensitivity.
- Folic Acid: Folic acid in doses above 0.1 mg daily may obscure pernicious anemia in that hematologic remission can occur while neurological manifestations remain progressive. Pernicious anemia should be excluded before using these products since folic acid may mask the symptoms of pernicious anemia.
- Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
- Geriatric Use: Dosing for elderly patients should be cautious. Due to the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy, dosing should start at the lower end of the dosing range.
This material is intended to provide basic information. Patients should discuss all medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment with their healthcare provider.
Please see full Prescribing Information
- Iron deficiency--United States, 1999-2000 [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); 2002 Oct 11 [accessed 2008 Apr 9]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5140a1.htm.
- McClung JP, Marchitelli LJ, Friedl KE, Young AJ. Prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among three populations of female military personnel in the US Army. J Am Coll Nutr. 2006 Feb;25(1):64-9.
- Dietary supplement fact sheet: iron [Internet]. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements; 2007 Aug 24 [cited 2008 Apr 20]. Available from: http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/iron.asp.
