Ferrous Sulfate
Also known as: Fer-In-Sol, Feosol, FeroSul, Fer-Gen-Sol
> **DANGER:** Iron overdose is highly toxic and potentially fatal. Keep all iron supplements strictly out of reach of pets and children. * **Purpose:** Used to treat iron-deficiency anemia, which is often caused by chronic blood loss (e.g., severe flea or hookworm infestations, bleeding ulcers) or to support red blood cell production in pets with kidney disease. * **Administration:** Absorption is best on an empty stomach (1 hour before or several hours after meals). However, if it causes stomach upset or vomiting, you may give it with a small amount of food. * **Side Effects:** Do not be alarmed if your pet's stool turns dark black; this is a normal, harmless side effect of unabsorbed iron passing through the digestive tract. * **Interactions:** Do not give at the same time as antacids, dairy products, or certain antibiotics (like tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones). Separate doses by at least 2 hours.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Hematinic
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Adjunct to epoetin (erythropoietin) therapy
- Adjunct to epoetin (erythropoietin) therapy
- Adjunct to epoetin (erythropoietin) therapy
- Adjunct to epoetin (erythropoietin) therapy
- Hematinic
- Hematinic
- Hematinic
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Adjunct to epoetin (erythropoietin) therapy
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Mild gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting)
- Black or dark-colored feces (normal and harmless)
- Constipation or diarrhea
Cautions & contraindications
- Hemosiderosis
- Hemochromatosis
- Hemolytic anemias
- Known hypersensitivity to iron products
- Gastrointestinal ulcerative diseases (relative contraindication due to GI irritation)
- **WARNING:** Dosing of oral iron products can be confusing. Always verify whether the dose is for the iron salt (e.g., ferrous sulfate) or elemental iron. Use with caution in patients with GI ulcerative diseases due to the irritating properties of the drug. Large doses can color feces black, causing false-positives on guaiac tests for occult blood.
Drug interactions
- Antacids: May bind to iron and decrease oral absorption; administer at least two hours apart.
- Calcium (Oral): May bind to iron and decrease oral absorption; administer at least two hours apart.
- Chloramphenicol: May delay the response to iron administration; avoid using in patients with iron deficiency anemia.
- Fluoroquinolones (e.g., enrofloxacin): Iron may significantly reduce the absorption of oral fluoroquinolones; administer at least two hours apart.
- H2-Receptor Antagonists (e.g., famotidine): Increased gastric pH may decrease iron absorption.
- Penicillamine: Iron can decrease the efficacy of penicillamine by decreasing its absorption; space doses as far apart as possible.
- Proton-Pump Inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole): Increased gastric pH may decrease iron absorption.
- Tetracyclines: Oral iron preparations can bind to orally administered tetracyclines, decreasing the absorption of both compounds.
- Thyroxine: Iron may reduce the absorption of oral thyroxine; administer at least two hours apart.
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): May enhance the gastrointestinal absorption of iron.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ferrous Sulfate used for in pets?
> **DANGER:** Iron overdose is highly toxic and potentially fatal. Keep all iron supplements strictly out of reach of pets and children. * **Purpose:** Used to treat iron-deficiency anemia, which is often caused by chronic blood loss (e.g., severe flea or hookworm infestations, bleeding ulcers) or to support red blood cell production in pets with kidney disease. * **Administration:** Absorption is best on an empty stomach (1 hour before or several hours after meals). However, if it causes stomach upset or vomiting, you may give it with a small amount of food. * **Side Effects:** Do not be alarmed if your pet's stool turns dark black; this is a normal, harmless side effect of unabsorbed iron passing through the digestive tract. * **Interactions:** Do not give at the same time as antacids, dairy products, or certain antibiotics (like tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones). Separate doses by at least 2 hours.
Is Ferrous Sulfate safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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