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heblaj01 · 07-07-2006, 09:25 PM

For those needing iron supplementation iron sulfate the most prescribed pill is not the best as far as absorption & side effects (constipation & abdominal pain) are concerned. There at least two other versions: ferrous gluconate & ferrous fumarate (commercial name: Palafer).

The better alternative is iron fumarate which besides iron includes vitamin C & folic acid. If these 2 added ingredients are not otherwise counterindicated, better absorption & lower incidence of constipation & pain are usually the benefits.
For those who are very sensitive to abdominal pain, taking the pills with meals will generally reduce this side effect. Taking the pills with food tends to reduce absorption but the amount of elemental iron in pills is relatively so high (30mg & up) compared to the maximum ability to absorb iron (about 2mg under average conditions) that this is not going to have a drastic effect on absorption.
However, whether taking the pills with or without food, these diet items should be avoided one or two hours before & after taking the iron pills:

-calcium (pills or in dairy products)
-tea,coffee
-spinach
-bran (& whole grain cereals,breads)

07-07-2006, 09:25 PM	#7
heblaj01 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 543	Ferrous fumarate For those needing iron supplementation iron sulfate the most prescribed pill is not the best as far as absorption & side effects (constipation & abdominal pain) are concerned. There at least two other versions: ferrous gluconate & ferrous fumarate (commercial name: Palafer). The better alternative is iron fumarate which besides iron includes vitamin C & folic acid. If these 2 added ingredients are not otherwise counterindicated, better absorption & lower incidence of constipation & pain are usually the benefits. For those who are very sensitive to abdominal pain, taking the pills with meals will generally reduce this side effect. Taking the pills with food tends to reduce absorption but the amount of elemental iron in pills is relatively so high (30mg & up) compared to the maximum ability to absorb iron (about 2mg under average conditions) that this is not going to have a drastic effect on absorption. However, whether taking the pills with or without food, these diet items should be avoided one or two hours before & after taking the iron pills: -calcium (pills or in dairy products) -tea,coffee -spinach -bran (& whole grain cereals,breads)