Pharmacy Question?

[josh_the_hot_boy]

My doctor tells me I need to start taking 325 mg of iron 3 times a day. I went to the store and the label said 18 mg. Is that 18 mg of elemental iron and is it equal to 325 mg?

 

[regnomraw]

I wouldn't assume so, since not all that iron is absorbed. Ask your pharmacist across the counter, they can probably quickly ring your doctor to clarify.

If you're taking these pills, avoid tea as the tannins in your tea bind the iron and prevent their absorption. If you're getting your iron from meat sources, they aren't affected by tea drinking.

 

[howardjk]

I had the same problem last week. The doctor asked for 325 mg but all the labels said 18 mg. I searched all the iron supps and finally came up with a 325 mg. The vitamin aisle has a bewildering selection! Keep looking or ask your doctor.

 

[bigsal]

In the past I had problems with lack of ferritin in the blood.

The primary of the transfusion center where I give my blood to free title, besides suspend withdrawals, I had prescribed a medication.
However, has recommended me to supplement the treatment with a healthy diet, preferring foods with higher iron content.

His recommendations were useful, because I recovered the right values ​​of ferritin, thanks mainly to food, thus avoiding continuous ingestion of medication.

is a longer process, but healthier.

I confirm that tea and coffee inhibit iron intake by 40 and 60 percent. Avoid these products until healed.

 

[dargelos]

In Britain a pharmacist will give free expert advice without obligation and many know more about pills than doctors do. If this also applies in your country then you know where to go to find out more.
The 18mg tabs you looked at are normal food supplement sized, for otherwise healthy people who don't get much iron in their diet. The dose the doctor prescribed is huge, about the max you would ever take oraly, so it looks like you have difficulty with iron absorbtion, which is serious, so go talk to the expert at the pharmacy.

 

[suck me off]

I remember reading that iron supplements can lead to alzheimer's. My multiple vitamins don't contain iron.
Research it.

 

[anarren]

Two things - one, iron supplements aren't all well absorbed, no matter which you're taking take it with a vitamin C rich food (like an orange, or some greens). Also, I find the 'comfort' irons (iron bisglyconate, usually) is easier on the stomach.

 

[nikon5241]

Pharmacists are greatly underutilized in the US. They have nearly the same credentials as a MD and most can even prescribe medication, though they prefer not to. What I recommend is you ask to speak with the Pharmacist and present him your situation. They will likely be a great source of information, not only because they have the medical training, but also because medication is what they deal with on a daily basis. Moreover, unless you give the Pharmacist your personal information, it will remain anonymous because they have no way of knowing who you are. Good luck!