Ferrous fumarate is an iron supplement that prevents and treats iron deficiency anaemia. It’s usually taken in tablet form. It reduces the symptoms of anaemia by raising your iron levels. Iron plays a vital role in the production of red blood cells in the body. These blood cells carry oxygen around the body.
A lack of iron in the blood causes fatigue, breathlessness, pale skin and palpitations. This condition is called iron deficiency anaemia. It can be caused by blood loss, pregnancy and a diet that does not include iron rich foods. If you can’t get enough iron through your diet, iron supplements like ferrous fumarate can help you recover from iron deficiency anaemia more quickly.
How does Ferrous fumarate work?
Ferrous fumarate is an iron supplement. It adds supplementary iron into your body. Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, which is an essential part of red blood cells. These red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, keeping your organs and tissues healthy.
When you take ferrous fumarate, the tablets are broken down by the stomach’s digestive acid. The iron is absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine and taken into the cells, where it helps to create red blood cells. The cells carry the oxygen that you need around your body and prevent the symptoms of anaemia, like low energy and heart palpitations.
What doses of Ferrous fumarate are there?
There are two different doses of ferrous fumarate tablets: 210mg and 322mg. Which one you take and how often will depend on your symptoms. One of our clinicians will be able to guide you on the best dose to start with and then monitor your progress.
When taking ferrous fumarate 210mg you’ll usually take one tablet three times a day. If you are taking ferrous fumarate 322mg you’ll usually take one tablet once or twice a day. If the initial dose you take does not work as well as you would like it to, your clinician may suggest switching to a higher dose.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Ferrous fumarate
You should always take your medication as directed by your clinician. Message us if you’ve ordered with us and have any questions.
Take your recommended dose at around the same time each day. Setting alarms or creating a routine can help you remember. If you’re taking the 322mg tablets, they have day of the week stickers so you don’t forget if you’ve taken them;
Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. Don’t crush or chew them;
Taking ferrous fumarate tablets with meals help prevent stomach discomfort. It can also help you remember to take them;
Try not to take ferrous fumarate with tea, eggs or milk. They can stop iron from being absorbed as easily from your gut, so avoid them for an hour before and after your tablet;
Keep taking the tablets for as long as your clinician tells you. This is usually about three to six months.
How long does it take for Ferrous fumarate to work?
If you’re taking ferrous fumarate to treat anaemia, you’ll usually see an improvement in your symptoms after about a week. Clinical studies show that ferrous fumarate significantly increases levels of iron in the blood when taken over a four week period. It might take some time for the full effects to show and all your symptoms to disappear.
Ferrous fumarate can also be used to prevent anaemia from developing. When you take ferrous fumarate to prevent anaemia it can be difficult to know that it’s working because you won’t experience the symptoms of anaemia and then relief from them. This doesn’t mean that it isn’t working and that you should stop taking it. Follow your clinician’s advice.
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Ferrous fumarate?
If you forget to take a dose of ferrous fumarate, you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time to take your next dose, miss the dose you forgot to take and continue as normal. Don’t take twice the amount of tablets to make up for missing one.
If you take too much ferrous fumarate you should seek medical advice immediately. If you can’t speak to a clinician, then you should go to the hospital. Take the ferrous fumarate with you so that a medical professional can see how much you’ve used. If you have any questions about your medication, you can log on to your Treated account and contact a clinician.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Ferrous fumarate
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Why should I buy Ferrous Fumarate online with Treated?
Answer:
Treated takes the hassle and anxiety out of getting the treatment you need. Our expert clinicians will work with you and your symptoms to create a tailored treatment plan that works around your life in the way you need it to.
After your initial consultation and the start of your treatment we’ll check in with you to make sure that everything is going well. If you’re not happy with the results of your treatment, a clinician will be able to advise you about alternatives and next steps. If you have any questions or queries during your treatment, you can log on to your account and send a message to a clinician.
Getting the medication that you need when you need it is easy with our subscription service. You can set up your own delivery schedule and we’ll send your medication straight to your door. Your plan is flexible and can be paused or cancelled simply by logging into your account and changing your subscription settings.
Is ferrous fumarate similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
Ferrous fumarate also comes as a syrup. This can be helpful if you can’t swallow tablets. There are also branded forms of ferrous fumarate in combination with folic acid, like Galfer and Pregaday. These can be useful as prenatal vitamins if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive.
Ferrous sulphate and ferrous gluconate work in a similar way to ferrous fumarate. The compounds used to bind the active ingredient and help it to be absorbed in the body are just a little different.
The supplement you take will depend on your health history and the symptoms that you are experiencing. During a discussion with one of our clinicians, you’ll be able to talk about your experiences and the best treatment for you.
How effective is ferrous fumarate?
Answer:
Ferrous fumarate is highly effective at both treating and preventing anaemia. Medical professionals consider it to be the treatment of choice for iron deficiency because it’s highly effective, causes few side effects and is cost effective.
Ferrous fumarate is just as effective as other iron supplements like ferrous sulfate, ferrous ascorbate and carbonyl iron. It’s easily absorbed in both anaemic and non-anaemic people. It also works for a variety of ages for both increasing iron count and reducing symptoms associated with anaemia.
Do I need a prescription for ferrous fumarate?
Answer:
You don’t need a prescription for ferrous fumarate, but a clinician still needs to chat with you before you order it to make sure that it’s right for you to take. You’ll also need to get it from a registered pharmacy. This helps to ensure that you’re taking the correct treatment and the correct dose.
If you have an iron deficiency, just tell us about your health. One of our clinicians will be able to talk you through the treatment options available to you and advise you about the best treatment plan for you to start on.
Ferrous versus Ferric Oral Iron Formulations for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency: A Clinical Overview. The Scientific World Journal, [online] 2012, pp.1–5.
Ferrous versus Ferric Oral Iron Formulations for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency: A Clinical Overview. The Scientific World Journal, [online] 2012, pp.1–5.
Gamad, N., Saha, P., Sharma, P., Suri, V., Chakrabarti, A. and Saha, L., (2021).
A randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy, tolerability, and cost of oral iron preparations in iron‐deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 47(11), pp.3828-3841.
Harrington, M., Hotz, C., Zeder, C., Polvo, G., Villalpando, S., Zimmermann, M., Walczyk, T., Rivera, J. and Hurrell, R., (2010).
A comparison of the bioavailability of ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulfate in non-anemic Mexican women and children consuming a sweetened maize and milk drink. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 65(1), pp.20-25.
Lares-Asseff, I., Pérez, M. G., López, M. C., Romero, L., Camacho, G. A., Toledo, A., Guillé, A. J., Trujillo, F., Juárez, H., & Flores, J. (1999).
Dosis efecto de la administración de fumarato ferroso en personas ancianas con deficiencia de hierro [Dose-effect of the administration of ferrous fumarate in aged persons with iron deficiency]. Revista de gastroenterologia de Mexico, 64(4), pp.159–166.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
