Generic Name: carbonyl iron (car BAH nill I ern)Brand names: Elemental Iron, Feosol Caplet, Icar, Iron Chews, Ferra-Cap
Carbonyl iron 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.
Carbonyl iron is used as a dietary supplement, and to prevent and to treat iron deficiencies and iron deficiency anemia.
Carbonyl iron may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Carbonyl iron may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking carbonyl iron if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
hemochromatosis,
hemosiderosis, or
hemolytic anemia.
Carbonyl iron 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 carbonyl iron. Generally, carbonyl iron should not be taken chronically by individuals with a normal iron balance.
Talk to your doctor before taking carbonyl iron if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor before taking carbonyl iron if you are breast-feeding a baby.Take carbonyl iron 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. Take carbonyl iron on an empty stomach for best results. If stomach upset occurs, take carbonyl iron with food or following a meal.Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of carbonyl iron with a dose measuring cup or spoon, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Carbonyl iron may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking carbonyl iron if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Store carbonyl iron 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.See also: Carbonyl iron dosage in more detail
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time to take next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose.
Symptoms of a carbonyl iron overdose include decreased energy; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; tarry stools; a weak, rapid pulse; fever; coma; seizures; and death.
Carbonyl iron may decrease the absorption of other medicines. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking carbonyl iron if you take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue taking carbonyl iron 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.
Usual Adult Dose for Iron Deficiency Anemia:
50 mg orally three times a day.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Premature neonates:2 to 4 mg elemental iron/kg/day divided every 12 to 24 hours (maximum daily dose = 15 mg).Infants and children <12 years:Prophylaxis: 1 to 2 mg elemental iron/kg/day (maximum 15 mg) in 1 to 2 divided doses.Mild to moderate iron deficiency anemia:3 mg elemental iron/kg/day in 1 to 2 divided doses.Severe iron deficiency anemia:4 to 6 mg elemental iron/kg/day in 3 divided doses.
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).
Carbonyl iron may decrease the absorption of the drugs listed above.
Do not take antacids within 2 hours of a dose of carbonyl iron. Antacids may decrease the absorption of carbonyl iron.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with carbonyl iron. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines while taking carbonyl iron.