Polysaccharide Iron Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Precautions Before Starting Polysaccharide Iron

Tell your doctor if you have ever had allergic reactions to polysaccharide iron, another ferrous salt such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, or ferrous fumarate, any of the active or inactive ingredients in poly iron, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Polysaccharide iron may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis, hemolytic anemia, pernicious anemia (vitamin B12 deficiency), ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and alcohol abuse.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding.

Precautions During Use of Polysaccharide Iron

Keep all your healthcare appointments while you are taking iron therapy. Your doctor may want to check your iron levels and increase the dose of oral iron if they are still low or stop iron supplementation if you have normal iron levels.

Take your iron supplementation at least 2 hours away from tetracycline antibiotics. Iron-containing products can interfere with the absorption of antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline. 

You should avoid taking antacids, dairy products, tea, or coffee within 2 hours before or after iron supplementation because they will reduce its effectiveness.

Polysaccharide iron can occasionally make your stools black. This is harmless but can interfere with certain laboratory tests, such as tests for blood in stools. Tell all laboratory personnel and healthcare providers you are taking iron supplements to treat iron deficiencies.

Tell all your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking a polysaccharide iron complex.

Polysaccharide Iron Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect iron polysaccharide. Possible interactions with other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse reactions. Some of the medications that can interact with iron supplements include:

• Bisphosphonates such as alendronate and risedronate
• Antibiotics such as cefdinir
• Quinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin
• Tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline and minocycline
• Medications such as eltrombopag used to treat low platelets
• Parkinson’s medications such as levodopa
• Heavy metal antagonists such as penicillamine
• Thyroid medications such as levothyroxine

To avoid drug interactions, give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, OTC medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications and OTC supplements.