Dosing and uses of Fergon (ferrous gluconate)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
tablet
- 225mg (27mg elemental iron)
- 240mg (27mg elemental iron)
- 246mg (28mg elemental iron)
- 324mg (38mg elemental iron)
- 325mg (36mg elemental iron)
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Treatment: 60 mg elemental Fe PO q6-12hr
Prophylaxis: 60 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
Recommended Daily Intake
Men: 8 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
Women: 18 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
Pregnant women: 27 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
Lactating women: 9 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
Administration
For maximum absorption take on empty stomach, but may take with or after meals to minimize GI irritation
Vitamin C may enhance absorption
Antacids may interfere with absorption; administer 2 hr before or 4 hr after antacids
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
tablet
- 225mg (27mg elemental iron)
- 240mg (27mg elemental iron)
- 246mg (28mg elemental iron)
- 324mg (38mg elemental iron)
- 325mg (36mg elemental iron)
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Treatment: 3-6 mg elemental Fe/kg/day PO
Prophylaxis: 1-2 mg elemental Fe/kg/day PO; not to exceed 15 mg/day
Recommended Daily Intake
0-6 months: 0.27 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
7-12 months: 11 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
1-3 yr: 7 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
4-8 yr: 10 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
9-13 yr: 8 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
14-18 Years
- Males: 11 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
- Females: 15 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
- Pregnant females: 27 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
- Lactating females: 10 mg elemental Fe PO qDay
Administration
For maximum absorption take on empty stomach, but may take with or after meals to minimize GI irritation
Vitamin C may enhance absorption May administer divide daily dose q8-12hr
Antacids may interfere with absorption; administer 2 hr before or 4 hr after antacids
Geriatric dosage forms and strengths
Lower doses of 10-50 mg elemental iron/day recommended may cause fewer GI adverse ements
Fergon (ferrous gluconate) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
GI irritation
Nausea
Stomach cramping
Staining of teeth
Heartburn
Vomiting
Constipation
Diarrhea
Discoloration of urine
Dark color stools
Warnings
Black box warnings
Severe iron toxicity may occur in overdose, particularly when ingested by children; iron is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children younger than 6 yr; store out of children’s reach and in children-resistant containers
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity
Hemochromatosis
Hemosiderosis
Hemolytic anemia
Anemia other than iron-deficiency anemia
Cautions
Oral absorption variable and incomplete
Avoid with peptic ulcer, enteritis, or ulcerative colitis
Avoid with frequent blood transfusions
Iron stores in elderly are usually normal; anemia of chronic disease often seen in elderly is caused by inability of reticuloendothelial system to use available iron stores
Premature infants with vitamin E deficiency: administration of Fe may cause red cell hemolysis and hemolytic anemia
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: A; pregnant women typically require increased iron ingestion to meet dietary requirements (see dosing sections)
Lactation: Distributed in breast milk, considered safe for breast feeding; breast milk generally provides enough iron to meet infant nutritional requirement; amount of iron in breast milk typically not influenced by maternal iron status
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Fergon (ferrous gluconate)
Mechanism of action
Essential nutrient, component of heme and nonheme iron proteins; ferrous gluconate contains 12% elemental Fe
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: 10-35% (normal Fe stores); 80-95% (depleted iron stores); food decreases absorption by up to 60%
Onset: 1 week
Excretion: Urine (trace), feces (trace), sweat, sloughing intestinal mucosal cells, menses (women)
