Ferric Citrate
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WARNING
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 center right away if you accidentally overdose.
Why is this medication prescribed?
People with chronic renal disease who are receiving dialysis, a medical procedure to clean the blood when the kidneys are not functioning properly, can reduce high blood levels of phosphorus by taking iron citrate. Ferric citrate is also used to treat persons without dialysis who have chronic renal disease (damage to the kidneys that may worsen over time and may cause the kidneys to stop working), iron-deficiency anemia (a lower than normal amount of red blood cells owing to too little iron), and are not on hemodialysis. Phosphate binders and iron replacement products, which include ferric citrate, are a group of drugs. By binding phosphorus from your diet’s foods and preventing its absorption into your bloodstream, it reduces excessive blood levels of phosphorus. By replacing iron stores so that the body can produce more red blood cells, it helps treat iron deficiency anemia.
How should this medicine be used?
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.
Other uses for this medicine
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking ferric citrate,
- If you have ever had difficulties tolerating iron supplements like ferric citrate, ferrous sulfate, 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. Mention any iron injections you may be receiving, such ferric carboxymaltose (Injectafer), ferumoxytol (Feraheme), iron dextran (Infed), or iron sucrose (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 a condition called hemochromatosis, in which too much iron accumulates in the body, let your doctor know. 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.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
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.
What side effects can this medication cause?
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
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dim 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.
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and other places with excessive heat and moisture.
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
To make sure that pets, kids, and other people cannot take leftover pharmaceuticals, they should be disposed of in a specific manner. You shouldn’t flush this medication down the toilet, though. The best option to get rid of your medication is instead through a medication take-back program. To find out about take-back initiatives in your neighborhood, speak with your pharmacist or get in touch with your city’s waste/recycling department. If you do not have access to a take-back program, you can find more information at the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p).
In case of emergency/overdose
Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach the poison control hotline in the event of an overdose. You can get information online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call emergency services at 911 right away if the sufferer has fallen, experienced a seizure, is having problems breathing, or cannot be roused.
What other information should I know?
Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how your body reacts to ferric citrate, your doctor will request specific lab tests.
You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
- Auryxia®