Iron overdose

Definition

Iron overdose is poisoning that occurs when you take an excessive amount of supplements that contain iron.

Alternative Names

Poisonous Ingredient

Iron

Where Found

Iron is an ingredient in many mineral and vitamin supplements. Iron supplements are also sold by themselves. Types include:

• Ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Slow Fe)
• Ferrous gluconate (Fergon)
• Ferrous fumarate (Femiron, Feostat)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Body as a whole

• Dehydration
• Low blood sugar
• Accumulation of fluids in the lungs
• Fever

Skin

• Bluish colored lips and fingernails
• Loss of color from the skin (pallor)
• Flushing

Gastrointestinal

• Vomiting blood
• Diarrhea
• Black and, possibly, bloody stools
• Nausea
• Scarring of stomach and bowels (in serious cases)
• Metallic taste in mouth

Heart and blood vessels

• Low blood pressure
• Fast and weak pulse

Nervous system

• Drowsiness
• Lack of desire to do anything
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Chills
• Shock
• Coma (may occur within 1/2 to 1 hour after overdose)
• Convulsions

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the emergency room.

See Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

• Medicines to cause vomiting
• Blood tests to check iron levels
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)   
• X-ray to make sure all iron tables are gone from the stomach
• Medicines to treat symptoms

Expectations (prognosis)

If the patient has no symptoms after 48 hours of swallowing the iron, there is a good chance of recovery. However, some people have died up to a week after an iron overdose. The more quickly a patient receives treatment, the better the chance for survival.