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Iron is a mineral found in many over-the-counter supplements. Iron overdoseoccurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.
This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Alternative NamesFerrous sulfate overdose; Ferrous gluconate overdose; Ferrous fumarate overdose
Poisonous IngredientIron
Where FoundIron is an ingredient in many mineral and vitamin supplements. Iron supplements are also sold by themselves. Types include:
- Ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Slow Fe)
- Ferrous gluconate (Fergon)
- Ferrous fumarate (Femiron, Feostat)
Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.
Symptoms- Airways and lungs
- Gastrointestinal system
- Black and, possibly, bloody stools
- Diarrhea
- Liver damage
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting blood
- Heart and blood
- Dehydration
- Low blood pressure
- Fast and weak pulse
- Shock
- Nervous system
- Chills
- Coma (may occur within 1/2 to 1 hour after overdose)
- Convulsions
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fever
- Headache
- Lack of desire to do anything
- Skin
Note: Symptoms may go away in a few hours, then return again after 1 day or later.
Before Calling EmergencyDetermine the following information:
- Patient's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
- Time it was swallowed
- Amount swallowed
- If the medication was prescribed for the patient
The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
See: Poison control center - emergency number
What to expect at the emergency roomThe health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate.
The patient may receive:
- Blood tests to check iron levels
- Endoscopy -- camera and tube down the throat to see the esophagus and the stomach and remove pills
- Tube through mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
- X-ray to make sure all iron tablets are gone from the stomach
There is a good chance of recovery if you have no symptoms 48 hours after swallowing the iron. However, some people have died up to a week after an iron overdose. The more quickly you receive treatment, the better the chance for survival.
Iron overdose can be extremely severe in children. Children may sometimes eat large amounts of iron pills because they look like candy. Many manufacturers have changed their pills so they no longer look like candy.
ReferencesLiebelt EL. Iron. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 72.
What else can I help you with?
What are the signs of iron overdose?
Signs of iron overdose include severe vomiting, racing heart, bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, bluish lips and fingernails, pale skin, weakness.
If iron overdose is suspected what should you do?
If overdose is suspected, the patient should contact poison control and/or seek emergency medical attention immediately.
The leading cause of poisoning deaths in children under 6 is?
Iron overdose
I'm taking 5 multi vitamins daily Can that hurt me?
Yes, you can overdose on vitamins and minerals. The most common ones that you can overdose on are iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin E. What will it do to me?
Can you eat iron?
Yes, in minimal quantities. Hemoglobin requires iron to bind oxygen to itself which is then transported via your circulatory system. However, you cannot ingest large amounts of solid iron (eg rock). Obtain iron from meat products such as red meat, veel etc.
What is the antidotes for iron overdose?
Deferoxamine (also known as desferrioxamine B, desferoxamine B, DFO-B, DFOA, DFB or desferal) is a bacterial siderophore produced by the actinobacteria Streptomyces pilosus. It has medical applications as a chelating agent used to remove excess iron from the body.
What can cause vitamin D overdose?
Eating too many carrots can turn one bright orange. And this isn't a joke. I worked in a doctor's office where one young woman with that colour came in and eating too many carrots had caused her problem. I think her liver could have been affected and it would cause great damage if her diet wasn't changed. Yes a vitimin overdose can be deadly. Overdose of iron containing supplements is a leading cause of poisoning deaths in small children. Too much potassium can stop the heart ect. I think too much of any of them can kill you. Some are just easier than others. _______________________________________________ Are those vitamins containing iron and potassium, or are vitamin pills and some sorts of food containing iron and potassium as well as vitamins?
What are the advantages of iron in food?
AnswerIron, a mineral, functions primarily as a carrier of oxygen in the body, both as a part of hemoglobin in the blood, and of myoglobin in the muscles. It also aids the immune system and the central nervous system. Its primary use is, however; to deliver oxygen throughout the body; a vital process.Vitamin C helps to absorb iron, and the iron in fish and meat is more readily absorbed than those in other foods. At the same time, the iron that can be found in foods is not harmful, whereas synthetic iron cannot be absorbed properly and can result in an easy overdose (especially in men).
How can iron levels be corrected?
If your iron levels are too low, then eat foods that contain iron and take iron supplements. If you cannot correct low iron by diet alone, you should see a doctor. You certainly want to see a doctor if your low iron levels are accompanied by dark urine or black and tarry fecal matter. Those symptoms could indicate internal bleeding which could be caused by ulcers, internal injuries, or cancer, among other serious things. If your iron levels are too high, then stop any iron supplements and remove some foods with high levels of iron from your diet. If you have a disease like hemochromatosis that causes you to have excessive iron levels, then chelating drugs, frequent blood donations, or phlebotomy (bloodletting) may be required. Your doctor should tell you what to do in that case. Women of childbearing age rarely have excessive iron levels unless they overdose on supplements, since menstruation removes blood from their systems.
What causes red skin discoloration in the neck area?
my husbands neck is turning red he has high blood pressure is that part of it
What will happen if a child swallows pregnacare original?
If a child swallows Pregnacare Original, which is a prenatal vitamin containing various vitamins and minerals, it may not be immediately harmful, but it could lead to an overdose of certain nutrients, particularly iron. Symptoms of overdose can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. It's essential to seek medical advice promptly to determine the appropriate course of action. Always keep such supplements out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.
How do you guard against overdose of trace elements?
Generally, as long as you don't consume mineral supplements beyond a daily multivitamin, toxicity from necessary minerals is pretty rare in normal individuals. To experience an overdose of some element (say zinc or iron), you need to consume many times more than the recommended daily allowance, usually for some period. This is usually only possible if someone is consuming excessive supplements. Keep such supplements away from young infants.
