Action of Absorption
The human body has an amazing ability to take the vitamins and minerals it needs from a variety of sources. When you eat iron-rich foods, your body absorbs the iron it needs during the digestion process.
The percentage of iron absorbed from food (known as iron bioavailability) varies, but it can range from 1% to 50%.1 Usually, the factor that has the greatest affect on absorption is the amount of iron your body already has stored.2 However, absorption can also be affected by the type of iron you ingest, and what other foods you eat at the same time.3,4
For more information about iron and the absorption process, read:
- Iron Stores Affect Absorption»
- Foods and Food Combinations Affect Iron Absorption»
- Iron Uptake, Transfer, and Storage»
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
- Finch CA, Cook JD. Iron deficiency. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1984 Mar;39(3):471-7.
- 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.
- Barton JC. Iron deficiency. In Rakel RE, Bope ET. Conn's Current Therapy, 2008. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Saunders/Elsevier, 385-389.
- Lynch SR, Stoltzfus RJ. Iron and ascorbic Acid: proposed fortification levels and recommended iron compounds. J Nutr. 2003 Sep;133(9):2978S-84S.
