What is Poly Iron (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.
What is the most important information I should know about Poly Iron (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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Poly Iron (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.
Poly Iron Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Poly Iron (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
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Poly Iron Interactions
What other drugs affect Poly Iron (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.
What should I avoid while taking Poly Iron (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.
Poly Iron Dosage
How should I take Poly Iron (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.
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.
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 overdose on Poly Iron (Iron Polysaccharide)?
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 happens if I miss a dose of Poly Iron (Iron Polysaccharide)?
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.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com