Side Effects of Iron Supplements

Traditional iron supplements often come with adverse gastrointestinal (GI) reactions

Your iron supplement may be causing constipation, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, heartburn, diarrhea, discolored stools, and gas.

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Up to 70% of people taking traditional iron report GI issues

Oral iron supplements break down in the stomach, which is why they can cause discomfort

Many people stop taking oral iron supplements because of side effects like:

Constipation
Loss of appetite
Stomach cramps
Nausea
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Discolored stools
Gas

Did you know?

Oral iron is mainly absorbed in the small intestine. 90% of the iron in traditional iron supplements goes unabsorbed because it breaks down in the stomach before it reaches the intestine.
Unabsorbed iron can cause irritation and damage, contributing to GI discomfort.
Supplements are not evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and do not require backing by clinical studies.

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Try an Iron You’ll Actually Take

Unlike traditional supplements, ACCRUFeR^® (ferric maltol) has a MALTOL SHIELD^TM that keeps the iron protected from the stomach so it can be absorbed in the small intestine. This design minimizes the risk of unmanageable GI side effects.

Benefits of ACCRUFeR

Am I Iron Deficient?

Learn about the signs and risks of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia.

How ACCRUFeR Works

Learn about ACCRUFeR's MALTOL SHIELD^TM and how it helps minimize the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take ACCRUFeR if you are allergic to ferric maltol or any of the ingredients in ACCRUFeR; have any illness that causes you to store too much iron in your body or if you have a problem with how your body uses iron; are receiving repeated blood transfusions.

Before you take ACCRUFeR, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if ACCRUFeR will harm your unborn baby; talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant); are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if ACCRUFeR passes into your breast milk); talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take ACCRUFeR.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Taking ACCRUFeR and certain other medicines may interact, which could potentially cause serious side effects. You may need to take ACCRUFeR at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take certain medicines. Ask your healthcare provider for a list of these medicines if you are not sure if you take one of these medicines.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take:

Dimercaprol

Other oral iron tablets or health supplements containing iron

Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you take one of these medicines. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What are the possible side effects of ACCRUFeR?

ACCRUFeR may cause serious side effects including:

Increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare. You should avoid taking ACCRUFeR if you have IBD and are experiencing a flare.

Too much iron stored in your body (iron overload). Your healthcare provider should check the iron level in your blood before you start treatment with ACCRUFeR.

Risk of overdose in children due to accidental swallowing. Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of death from poisoning in children under 6. Keep ACCRUFeR in a safe place and out of the reach of children.

The most common side effects of ACCRUFeR include gas, diarrhea, constipation, discolored stools, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and stomach area discomfort or bloating. These are not all the possible side effects of ACCRUFeR. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.