ORAL iron
GI irritation: Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, dark stools (green or black), gastric mucosal erosion
IV iron
General: Flushing, sweating, chills and fever; chest and back pain
Hypersensitivity, anaphylaxis
Gastrointestinal: Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain
Central nervous system: Headache; dizziness
Musculoskeletal: Joint and muscle pain; arthralgia; sensation of stiffening of the arms, legs or face
Cardiovascular: Tachycardia, hypotension, circulatory collapse
Respiratory: Bronchospasm with dyspnoea
Haematological: Generalised lymphadenopathy
Dermatological: Rash, urticarial, angioneurotic oedema
Adverse reactions may be delayed by 1–2 days after treatment with Ferrosig iron or Ferrum H (iron polymaltose) injection
Oral and IV
Increased RBC haemolysis and haemolytic anaemia in preterm infants with low vitamin E concentrations
Rickets – with large doses of iron over a prolonged period
Acute toxicity – more severe GI effects including haematemesis and melaena, lethargy, pallor, cyanosis and shock
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