Version July 2025
Formulation: Enteric-coated and slow-/sustained-release preparations are generally not preferred due to poor absorption (Ref). Route of administration: IV iron replacement is preferred over oral replacement in several clinical situations (eg, lack of response to or poor tolerability of oral iron, chronic kidney disease, extensive blood loss) (Ref).
Iron-deficiency anemia, prevention/treatment: Oral:
Once-daily regimen: One capsule or tablet once daily. Note: Available products have varying products of iron and other components in the preparation; consult specific product labeling. Some experts do not typically exceed one dose per day as higher iron doses do not necessarily improve absorption and may increase the risk of adverse effects (Ref).
Alternate-day dosing regimens (off-label): One capsule or tablet every other day or one capsule or tablet on Monday, Wednesday, Friday (Ref). Note: Data have shown that alternate-day dosing regimens result in greater absorption of iron compared to more frequent administration; some experts prefer alternate-day dosing regimens in patients who can maintain adherence (Ref).
Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling.
Refer to adult dosing.
The following adverse drug reactions are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified. Also see individual agents.
Frequency not defined:
Cardiovascular: Flushing (extremities and facial flushing)
Dermatologic: Skin rash
Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
Nervous system: Precordial pain
Hypersensitivity to any components of the formulation; hemochromatosis; hemosiderosis.
Disease-related concerns:
• Anemia: Not appropriate for treatment of pernicious or aplastic anemia.
• Gastrointestinal disease: Avoid in patients with peptic ulcer disease, enteritis, or ulcerative colitis.
• Pernicious anemia: Folate doses >0.1 mg/day may obscure pernicious anemia in that hematologic remission can occur with continuing irreversible nerve damage progression.
Special populations:
• Pediatric: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6 years of age. Keep this product out of the reach of children. In case of accidental overdose call the poison control center immediately.
Dosage form specific issues:
• Oral iron formulations: Immediate release oral iron products are preferred for treatment of iron deficiency anemia; enteric coated and slow/sustained release preparations are not desired due to poor absorption (Hershko 2014; Liu 2012).
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product
Capsule, Oral:
Ferrex 150 Forte: Elemental iron 150 mg, cyanocobalamin 25 mcg, and folic acid 1 mg [contains fd&c blue #1 (brill blue) aluminum lake, fd&c red #40(allura red ac)aluminum lake]
Hematogen Forte: Iron 460 mg, cyanocobalamin 10 mcg, and folic acid 1 mg with ascorbic acid 60 mg [contains fd&c blue #1 (brilliant blue), fd&c red #40 (allura red ac dye), fd&c yellow #5 (tartrazine), soybean lecithin, soybean oil]
IFerex 150 Forte: Elemental iron 150 mg, cyanocobalamin 25 mcg, and folic acid 1 mg [DSC] [contains fd&c blue #1 (brilliant blue), quinoline yellow (d&c yellow #10)]
Poly-Iron 150 Forte: Elemental iron 150 mg, cyanocobalamin 25 mcg, and folic acid 1 mg [contains fd&c blue #1 (brill blue) aluminum lake, fd&c red #40(allura red ac)aluminum lake]
Trigels-F Forte: Iron 460 mg, cyanocobalamin 10 mcg, and folic acid 1 mg with ascorbic acid 60 mg [contains soybean oil]
Tablet, Oral:
Irofol: Elemental iron 150 mg, cyanocobalamin 25 mcg, and folic acid 1 mg [DSC]
May be product dependent
Capsules (Ferrex 150 Forte Oral)
150-0.025-1 mg (per each): $0.15
Capsules (Hematogen Forte Oral)
460-60-0.01-1 mg (per each): $0.66
Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.
Oral: May be administered with or without food.
Iron deficiency anemia, prevention/treatment: Prevention and treatment of iron-deficiency anemias.
Refer to individual components.
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Iron Preparations may decrease absorption of Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Alpha-Lipoic Acid may decrease absorption of Iron Preparations. Management: Separate administration of alpha-lipoic acid from that of any iron-containing compounds by several hours. If alpha-lipoic acid is given 30 minutes before breakfast, then administer oral iron-containing products at lunch or dinner. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Antacids: May decrease absorption of Iron Preparations. Management: No action is likely necessary for the majority of patients who only use antacids intermittently or occasionally. Consider separating doses of oral iron and antacids in patients who require chronic use of both agents and monitor for reduced iron efficacy. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Baloxavir Marboxil: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Baloxavir Marboxil. Risk X: Avoid
Bictegravir: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Bictegravir. Management: Bictegravir can be given with iron under fed conditions. Under fasting conditions, coadministration with, or 2 hours after, iron is not recommended. In pregnancy, bictegravir can be given 2 hours before or 6 hours after iron under fasting conditions. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Bisphosphonate Derivatives: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Bisphosphonate Derivatives. Management: Avoid administration of oral medications containing polyvalent cations within: 2 hours before or after tiludronate/clodronate/etidronate; 60 minutes after oral ibandronate; or 30 minutes after alendronate/risedronate. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Cabotegravir: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Cabotegravir. Management: Administer polyvalent cation containing products at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after oral cabotegravir. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Cefdinir: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Cefdinir. Red-appearing, non-bloody stools may also develop due to the formation of an insoluble iron-cefdinir complex. Management: Avoid concurrent cefdinir and oral iron when possible. Separate doses by at least 2 hours if combined. Iron-containing infant formulas do not appear alter cefdinir pharmacokinetics, but red-appearing, non-bloody stools may develop when combined. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Deferiprone: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Deferiprone. Management: Separate administration of deferiprone and oral medications or supplements that contain polyvalent cations by at least 4 hours. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Dimercaprol: May increase nephrotoxic effects of Iron Preparations. Risk X: Avoid
Dolutegravir: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Dolutegravir. Management: Administer dolutegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after oral iron. Administer dolutegravir/rilpivirine at least 4 hours before or 6 hours after oral iron. Alternatively, dolutegravir and oral iron can be taken together with food. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Eltrombopag: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Eltrombopag. Management: Administer eltrombopag at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after oral administration of any polyvalent cation containing product. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Elvitegravir: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Elvitegravir. Management: Administer elvitegravir-containing products 2 hours before, or 2 to 6 hours after, the administration of polyvalent cation containing products. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Entacapone: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Entacapone. Management: Consider separating doses of the agents by 2 or more hours to minimize the effects of this interaction. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effects of levodopa during concomitant therapy, particularly if doses cannot be separated. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Ferric Hydroxide Polymaltose Complex: May decrease serum concentration of Iron Preparations. Specifically, the absorption of oral iron salts may be reduced. Management: Do not administer intravenous (IV) ferric hydroxide polymaltose complex with other oral iron preparations. Therapy with oral iron preparations should begin 1 week after the last dose of IV ferric hydroxide polymaltose complex. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Fluorouracil Products: Folic Acid may increase adverse/toxic effects of Fluorouracil Products. Risk C: Monitor
Fosphenytoin-Phenytoin: Folic Acid may decrease serum concentration of Fosphenytoin-Phenytoin. Risk C: Monitor
Green Tea: May decrease serum concentration of Folic Acid. Risk C: Monitor
Levodopa: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Levodopa. Only applies to oral iron preparations. Management: Consider separating doses of the agents by 2 or more hours to minimize the effects of this interaction. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effects of levodopa during concomitant therapy, particularly if doses cannot be separated. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Levonadifloxacin: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Levonadifloxacin. Risk X: Avoid
Levothyroxine: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Levothyroxine. Management: Separate oral administration of iron preparations and levothyroxine by at least 4 hours. Separation of doses is not required with parenterally administered iron preparations or levothyroxine. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Methyldopa: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Methyldopa. Management: Consider separating doses of methyldopa and orally administered iron preparation by 2 or more hours. Monitor for decreased efficacy of methyldopa if an oral iron preparation is initiated/dose increase, or increased efficacy if discontinued/dose decreased. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Pafolacianine: Coadministration of Folic Acid and Pafolacianine may alter diagnostic results. Risk X: Avoid
PenicillAMINE: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of PenicillAMINE. Management: Separate the administration of penicillamine and oral polyvalent cation containing products by at least 1 hour. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
PHENobarbital: Folic Acid may decrease serum concentration of PHENobarbital. Risk C: Monitor
Phosphate Supplements: Iron Preparations may decrease absorption of Phosphate Supplements. Management: Administer oral phosphate supplements as far apart from the administration of an oral iron preparation as possible to minimize the significance of this interaction. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Polyethylene Glycol-Electrolyte Solution: May decrease absorption of Iron Preparations. Management: Give oral iron products at least 2 hours before or at least 6 hours after polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solutions that contain magnesium sulfate (Suflave brand). Other products without magnesium do not require dose separation. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Primidone: Folic Acid may decrease serum concentration of Primidone. Additionally, folic acid may decrease concentrations of active metabolites of primidone (e.g., phenobarbital). Risk C: Monitor
Pyrimethamine: Folic Acid may decrease therapeutic effects of Pyrimethamine. Management: Folic acid doses greater than 2.5 mg per day should be avoided due to the potential for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine treatment failure. Consider limiting folic acid use to no more than 0.4 mg per day for women of child-bearing age. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Quinolones: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Quinolones. Management: Give oral quinolones at least several hours before (4 h for moxi- and sparfloxacin, 2 h for others) or after (8 h for moxi-, 6 h for cipro/dela-, 4 h for lome-, 3 h for gemi-, and 2 h for enox-, levo-, nor-, oflox-, peflox, or nalidixic acid) oral iron. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Raltegravir: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Raltegravir. Management: Administer raltegravir 2 hours before or 6 hours after administration of the polyvalent cations. Dose separation may not adequately minimize the significance of this interaction. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Raltitrexed: Folic Acid may decrease therapeutic effects of Raltitrexed. Risk X: Avoid
Roxadustat: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Roxadustat. Management: Administer roxadustat at least 1 hour after the administration of oral polyvalent cation containing products. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Sulfadoxine: Folic Acid may decrease therapeutic effects of Sulfadoxine. Management: Folic acid doses greater than 2.5 mg per day should be avoided due to the potential for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine treatment failure. Consider limiting folic acid use to no more than 0.4 mg per day for women of child-bearing age. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
SulfaSALAzine: May decrease serum concentration of Folic Acid. Risk C: Monitor
Tetracyclines: May decrease absorption of Iron Preparations. Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Tetracyclines. Management: Avoid this combination if possible. Administer oral iron preparations at least 2 hours before, or 4 hours after, the dose of the oral tetracycline derivative. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effect of oral tetracycline derivatives. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Trientine: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease serum concentration of Trientine. Management: Avoid concomitant use of trientine and polyvalent cations. If oral iron supplements are required, separate the administration by 2 hours. For other oral polyvalent cations, give trientine 1 hour before, or 1 to 2 hours after the polyvalent cation. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Unithiol: May decrease therapeutic effects of Polyvalent Cation Containing Products. Risk X: Avoid
Vadadustat: Iron Preparations may decrease serum concentration of Vadadustat. Management: Administer vadadustat at least 1 hour before oral iron supplements. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Refer to individual monographs
Refer to individual monographs
Dietary sources of iron include beans, cereal (enriched), clams, beef, lentils, liver, oysters, shrimp, and turkey. Foods that enhance dietary absorption of iron include broccoli, grapefruit, orange juice, peppers and strawberries. Foods that decrease dietary absorption of iron include coffee, dairy products, soy products, spinach, and tea.
Dietary reference intake (IOM 2001):
0 to 6 months of age: Adequate intake: 0.27 mg elemental iron/day.
7 to 12 months of age: RDA: 11 mg elemental iron/day.
1 to 3 years of age: RDA: 7 mg elemental iron/day.
4 to 8 years of age: RDA: 10 mg elemental iron/day.
9 to 13 years of age: RDA: 8 mg elemental iron/day.
14 to 18 years of age: RDA:
Males: 11 mg elemental iron/day.
Females: 15 mg elemental iron/day.
Pregnant patients: 27 mg elemental iron/day.
Lactating patients: 10 mg elemental iron/day.
19 to 50 years of age: RDA:
Males: 8 mg elemental iron/day.
Females: 18 mg elemental iron/day.
Pregnant patients: 27 mg elemental iron/day.
Lactating patients: 9 mg elemental iron/day.
≥50 years of age: RDA: 8 mg elemental iron/day.
Anemia:
Hemoglobin, whole blood:
Female: 12 to16 g/dL (SI: 120 to 160 g/L) (ABIM 2023).
Male: 13 to 18 g/dL (SI: 130 to 180 g/L) (ABIM 2023; WHO 2011).
Iron deficiency (ABIM 2023):
Ferritin, serum: Note: Ferritin is an acute phase reactant; levels may be elevated in the presence of inflammation or infection which is independent of iron status (WHO 2020).
Female: 24 to 307 ng/mL (SI: 53.9 to 689.8 picomole/L).
Male: 24 to 336 ng/mL (SI: 53.9 to 755 picomole/L).
Iron, serum: 50 to 150 mcg/dL (SI: 9 to 26.9 micromole/L).
Total iron binding capacity, serum: 250 to 310 mcg/dL (SI: 44.8 to 55.5 micromole/L).
Transferrin saturation: 20% to 50%.
Transferrin, serum: 200 to 400 mg/dL (SI: 24.6 to 49.2 micromole/L).
Chronic kidney disease-associated anemia: To achieve and maintain target hemoglobin for patients with nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease, patients with a transferrin saturation (TSAT) ≤30% and a serum ferritin level ≤500 ng/mL (SI: 1,123.5 picomole/L) will often respond to iron supplementation (Gutiérrez 2021; KDIGO 2012).
