Vitamins and Mineral Supplements

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HealthWiki > New Where There Is No Doctor > Pregnancy and Birth > Vitamins and Mineral Supplements

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Pregnancy and Birth: Medicines

 

Pregnancy and Birth: Medicines

Iron, ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate

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Ferrous sulfate is useful in the treatment or prevention of most cases of anemia. Treatment with ferrous sulfate by mouth usually takes at least 3 months.
     Iron works better when taken with vitamin C (either by eating fruits and vegetables, or taking a vitamin C tablet).

Side effects

Iron sometimes upsets the stomach and is best taken with meals. Also, it can cause constipation especially in older people, and it may make the stools (feces) look black. See advice for constipation.
     Drinking liquid iron supplements blackens the teeth. Drink it through a straw or brush the teeth after.

Important

Be sure the dose is right. Too much ferrous sulfate is poisonous. Do not give iron to severely malnourished persons. Wait until they have recovered their health.

How to use

Different forms of iron contain different concentrations of this mineral. For example, a 300 mg tablet of ferrous sulfate contains about 60 mg of iron. But a 325 mg tablet of ferrous gluconate contains 36 mg of iron. So read the label of your tablets, syrup, or other iron supplement to learn the iron content.

To PREVENT anemia in pregnant and breastfeeding women

Give 300 mg ferrous sulfate (60 mg iron) each day. Iron should also be taken daily by women who plan to become pregnant. A combined iron and folic acid supplement is even better, because folic acid helps prevent birth defects.

To TREAT someone who is already anemic

Give this amount once a day, or divide into 2 doses if it upsets the stomach:

DOSE BY AGE FOR FERROUS SULFATE
AGE GROUP	HOW MUCH PER DOSE	HOW MANY 300 MG TABLETS	HOW MUCH TOTAL IRON
Under 2 years	125 mg ferrous sulfate	Use iron syrup, or crush about ¼ of a 300 mg ferrous sulfate tablet in breast milk	Give enough to provide 25 mg iron
2 to 12 years old	300 mg ferrous sulfate	1 tablet of 300 mg ferrous sulfate	Give enough to provide 60 mg iron
Over 12 years	600 mg ferrous sulfate	2 tablets of 300 mg ferrous sulfate	Give enough to provide 120 mg iron

Folic acid, folate

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Folic acid is an important vitamin that aids a baby’s healthy development in the first weeks of pregnancy.

How to use

A combined folic acid and iron supplement may be more convenient than taking the two separately. Whether combined with iron or used alone, the dose is the same.
     It is best to start taking folic acid before you become pregnant so your body has enough to meet the baby’s needs in the early weeks. Continue taking it throughout the first 3 months of pregnancy.

     Give 400 to 500 mcg each day.

This page was updated:05 Jan 2024