One of the main causes of fatal poisoning in kids under the age of six is accidental overdose of iron-containing items. Keep children away from this product at all times. Call your doctor or a poison control centre right away if you accidentally overdose.

Ferric citrate is used to reduce high phosphorus levels in the blood in dialysis patients with chronic renal disease (medical treatment to clean the blood when the kidneys are not working properly). Ferric citrate is also used to treat adults with chronic renal disease (damage to the kidneys that may get worse over time and may cause the kidneys to stop working) who are not on dialysis for iron-deficiency anaemia (a lower than normal amount of red blood cells owing to too little iron). The drug ferric citrate belongs to the group of drugs known as phosphate binders and iron replacement products. By binding phosphorus that is obtained from dietary sources and preventing it from being absorbed into the blood stream, it reduces excessive blood levels of phosphorus. Refilling iron stores enables the body to produce more red blood cells, thereby treating iron deficiency anaemia.

To be swallowed whole, ferric citrate tablets are available. Three times a day, it is often taken with food. Ferric citrate should be taken every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. As prescribed, take ferric citrate as soon as possible. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not split, chew, or crush the pills; doing so could result in tooth and mouth discolouration. Instead, swallow them whole.

A low dose of ferric citrate will likely be prescribed by your doctor, who will then gradually increase or reduce it, usually no more than once each week. How effectively the drug works for you will determine this. Even if you are feeling better, keep taking ferric citrate. Without consulting your doctor, do not stop taking ferric citrate.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking ferric citrate,

• If you have ever had difficulties tolerating iron supplements like ferric citrate, ferrous sulphate, ferrous fumarate, or ferrous gluconate, or if you have an allergy to any other medications or any of the substances in ferric citrate tablets, let your doctor and pharmacist know. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Mentioning the use of iron injections such as ferric carboxymaltose (Injectafer), ferumoxytol (Feraheme), iron dextran (Infed), or iron sucrose should be done with caution (Venofer). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even any not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with ferric citrate.
• Take ciprofloxacin at least two hours before or two hours after ferric citrate if you’re taking it. Doxycycline should be taken at least an hour before ferric citrate if you are taking it.
• If you have an iron overload syndrome, such as hemochromatosis, let your doctor know (a disorder in which excess iron builds up in the body). Most likely, your doctor will advise against using ferric citrate.
• Inform your doctor of any medical conditions you now have or have ever had.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking ferric citrate.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Effects of ferric citrate may be negative. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sluggish stools
• Cough

Other negative effects of ferric citrate may occur. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.