Name of Drug Classification Mechanism of Action Indications and Side Effects Nursing Responsibilities

Contraindications (Before, During and

After Responsibilities)

Generic Name: Pharmacologic: Elevates the serum iron Indications: CNS: Central Nervous Before:
Ferrous sulfate Iron preparation concentration, and is then ● Used for prevention System toxicity, acidosis ● Check doctor’s
converted to Hgb or and management of order
Trade/Brand Name: trapped in the iron-deficiency GI: GI upset, anorexia, ● Assess for allergy to
Therapeutic: reticuloendothelial cells for anemias nausea, vomiting, any ingredient:
Fersulfate, Ferron, Iron preparation storage and eventual ● Used as dietary constipation, diarrhea, dark sulfite;
Ferricore, Ferlum, Ferolem conversion to a usable supplement for iron stools, temporary staining hemochromatosis,
form of iron. ● Unlabeled use: may of teeth (with liquid hemosiderosis,
Contents: also be used in preparations) haemolytic anemias
adjunct to epoetin ● Assess for skin
ferrous sulfate 200mg Onset: therapy to ensure Adverse Effects: lesions,color; gums,
equivalent to 65mg of 4 days proper hematologic teeth (color); bowel
ferrous iron Fe(II) response to epoetin coma and death with sounds
Peak: overdose ● Monitor blood
Patient’s Dose: 7-10 days studies
1tab TID Contraindications: ● Confirm that client
Duration: Contraindicated with does have iron
Minimum Dose: 2-4 mo. allergy to any ingredient; deficiency anemia
8 mg/day sulfite allergy;
Metabolism: hemochromatosis, During:
Maximum Dose: binds to plasma proteins hemosiderosis, hemolytic ● Verify patient’s
350 mg/day and is either transported or anemias. identity
stored throughout the ● Administer the right
body. drug in the right
dose and route at
Distribution: the right time
 Iron crosses the placenta, ● Do not crush, chew
and enters breast milk or cut tablets and
capsules
Excretion: ● Give drug with
meals (avoiding
Oral iron is recycled, with milk, eggs, coffee,
some loss in the urine, and tea)
sweat, and desquamation. ● Administer liquid
Some iron can be lost preparations in
during menstrual bleeding. water or juice to
mask the taste and
prevent staining of
teeth; have patient
drink solution with
Reference Reference Reference Reference Reference a straw
● Do not take this
drug with antacids
Ferrous sulfate: Uses, Karch, A. M. (2014, June Karch, A. M. (2014, June Karch, A. M. (2014, June Karch, A. M. (2014, June nor tetracyclines
Interactions, Mechanism of 26). Lippincott Nursing 26). Lippincott Nursing 26). Lippincott Nursing 26). Lippincott Nursing unless prescribed
Action | DrugBank Online. Drug Guide. LWW. Drug Guide. LWW. Drug Guide. LWW. Drug Guide. LWW.
(n.d.). DrugBank.
Retrieved September 11, After:
2022, from ● Warn patient that
https://go.drugbank.com/d stool may be dark
rugs/DB13257 or green
● Arrange for periodic
Karch, A. M. (2014, June monitoring of Hct
26). Lippincott Nursing and Hgb levels
Drug Guide. LWW ● Keep drug out of
reach of children
(may cause fetal
poisoning)
● Report severe GI
upset, lethargy,
 rapid respirations
and constipation
● Document and
record.

Reference

Karch, A. M. (2014, June

26). Lippincott Nursing
Drug Guide. LWW.