Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Ferrous fumarate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Ferrous Fumarate Tablets contain a form of iron called ferrous fumarate. Iron is usually found in foods and is necessary for the normal development of red blood cells. A lack of iron affects the development of the red blood cells and causes a reduction in the number of red blood cells found in the body (iron deficiency anaemia). Ferrous Fumarate Tablets are used to prevent or treat iron deficiency anaemia. The prevention of iron deficiency during pregnancy usually requires a combination of iron and folic acid.
What you need to know before you take it
e Ferrous Fumarate Tablets Do not take Ferrous Fumarate Tablets if:
- You are allergic to ferrous fumarate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- You have noticed blood in your urine
- You suffer from any form of anaemia, other than iron deficiency anaemia, or from any other condition where your body's iron is affected (your doctor will be able to advise you)
- You have bronze markings on your skin or you have been told that you have increased stores of iron in your tissues
- You are suffering from a recently diagnosed stomach or duodenal ulcer
- You are undergoing repeated blood transfusions
- You suffer from ulcerative colitis or any other inflammatory condition of the bowels. Speak to your doctor if any of these apply to you before you take your medicine.
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ferrous Fumarate Tablets if:
- You have had a stomach or duodenal ulcer in the past, or have one which is now under control with treatment
- You have had major surgery to your stomach
- You have problems associated with narrowing of your intestine (stricture) or out pocketing of the inner layer of your intestine (diverticular disease). If any of these conditions apply to you, speak to your doctor before you take these tablets. Your doctor will want to watch you closely, and will advise you if any additional medicine is required to treat your condition. Other medicines and Ferrous Fumarate Tablets: Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. The effects of any of these medicines or of Ferrous Fumarate Tablets may change, particularly if you are taking:
- Certain medicines for treating infections (e.g. chloramphenicol, tetracyclines, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin)
- Medicines containing zinc, calcium or magnesium salts
- Levothyroxine, used for thyroid gland problems
- Medicines used for a disease known as 'Parkinson's disease' (e.g. levodopa, entacapone)
- Methyl dopa, used for increase in blood pressure
- Penicillamine used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
- Colestyramine used to reduce cholesterol and fats in the blood
- Medicines for bone diseases (bisphosphonates)
- Trientine, used for high copper levels in blood
- Dimercaprol, used for various metal poisonings
- Mycophenolate, used during change of organs (transplant). Ferrous Fumarate Tablets with food and drink: Ferrous Fumarate Tablets may be taken with meals. This may help to relieve any stomachrelated side effects. However, it is advisable not to take your medicine with tea, eggs or milk as this may reduce the effect of the tablets. Ferrous Fumarate Tablets should be taken with a glass of water. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Ferrous Fumarate Tablets contains sodium This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dosage, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
How to take it
Ferrous Fumarate Tablets
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. It is important to take your medicine at the right time. The label will tell you how much to take and how often. The recommended dose is: The usual dose to treat Iron deficiency anaemia is one tablet two to three times a day.The dose for prevention of anaemia is one tablet once or twice a day.Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. You can also chew or crush the tablets. Taking Ferrous Fumarate Tablets with meals may help to relieve any stomach related side effects. Your doctor will advise you on how long you should take the tablets. You can stop taking the tablets three months after the anaemia has been corrected. You should not take the tablets for more than six months. Use in children Ferrous Fumarate Tablets are not suitable for use in children. Your medicine is very dangerous if taken by young children and care should be taken to keep the medicine safely out of the reach of children. If you have to go to another doctor or to the hospital tell them you are taking Ferrous Fumarate Tablets. If you take more Ferrous Fumarate Tablets than you should: If you take too many tablets, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or doctor immediately. Take any remaining tablets and this leaflet with you so that the medical staff know exactly what you have taken. Your medicine is very dangerous if taken by young children and care should be taken to keep the medicine safely out of the reach of children. Signs and symptoms of an iron overdose include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting of blood (haematemesis), and rectal bleeding. If you forget to take your Ferrous Fumarate Tablets: Take your dose as soon as you remember. Then go on as before. If it is almost time for the next dose, then do not take the missed dose at all. If you stop taking Ferrous Fumarate Tablets: If you are having no problems with your tablets, do not stop taking them until your doctor tells you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. All medicines can cause allergic reactions although serious allergic reactions are rare. Any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting your whole body) should be reported to a doctor immediately (Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people). Other side effects may include:
Common side effects: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
- Heartburn
- Feeling sick or being sick
- Diarrhoea or constipation. Also, you might find your stools are darker in colour after you have taken this medicine. This is quite commonly seen with all iron preparations and is normal. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible
Possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Ferrous Fumarate Tablets Important warning: contains iron. Keep out of the sight and reach of children, as overdose may be fatal. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package/container in order to protect from light. If you have any of your medicine left after finishing your treatment, return it to your pharmacist. Do not use your medicine if the pack is damaged or after the Expiry Date stated on the carton and blister. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment. REMEMBER This medicine is for YOU. Never give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. 6. Content of the pack and other information What Ferrous Fumarate Tablets contains The active substance is ferrous fumarate. Each tablet contains 210mg ferrous fumarate (approximately 65-70 mg of elemental iron). Ferrous fumarate is an iron compound. The other ingredients are maize starch, sodium lauryl sulfate, gelatin, liquid paraffin and purified water. What Ferrous Fumarate Tablets look like and contents of pack: Ferrous Fumarate Tablets are light brown in colour. Ferrous Fumarate Tablets are usually available in containers with child proof lids containing 100 or 1000 tablets or supplied in blisters packs of 28, 56, 84 and 112 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing authorisation holder: Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Dashwood House, 69 Old Broad Street, London, EC2M 1QS, United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Custom Pharmaceuticals, Tecore House, Conway Street, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3LW. This leaflet was last revised in October 2025.
Frequently asked questions about Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets
How do I take Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets?
Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets comes as tablet containing 210mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets?
The active substance in Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets is ferrous fumarate.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: ferrous fumarate
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Prophylaxis and treatment of iron deficiency states.
For prophylaxis during pregnancy, a combination of iron and folic acid is usually recommended.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults and the elderly:
Paediatric population:
Iron deficiency anaemia - 1 tablet two to three times a day; prophylaxis - 1 tablet once or twice a day.
Not recommended, suggest use of Fersamal syrup.
The tablets are easy to swallow but may also be crushed or chewed being almost tasteless.
Rationale:
Taking into account the content of elemental iron and the referenced recommended daily dose of the same in deficiency states and for prophylaxis, the Fersamal dosing is in need of revision.
Each Fersamal tablet contains 210mg ferrous fumarate which approximates to 65-70mg of elemental iron- reference: (1) Goodman & Gilman's The pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 10th Edition, page no. 1499 (2) BNF
Recommended Doses:
(a) Iron Deficiency anaemia: 100 to 200mg elemental iron per day- [reference 1) BNF (2) G&G]. This equates to Fersamal 1 tablet two or three times a day.
(b) Prophylaxis: Ferrous sulphate 200mg once or twice a day (reference BNF) i.e. 60 to 120mg elemental iron per day. This equates to Fersamal 1 tablet once or twice daily.
Method of administration: Oral
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Haemosiderosis, haemochromatosis. Active peptic ulcer. Repeated blood transfusions. Regional enteritis and ulcerative colitis. Must not be used in anaemias other than those due to iron deficiency.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Some post-gastrectomy patients show poor absorption of iron. Care is required when treating patients with iron deficiency anaemia who have treated or controlled peptic ulceration.
Duration of treatment of uncomplicated iron deficiency anaemia should not usually exceed 6 months (3 months after reversal of the anaemia has been achieved).
Because anaemia due to combined iron and Vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies may be microcytic in type, patients with microcytic anaemia resistant to treatment with iron alone should be screened for Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) in each tablet that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Paediatric population
Fersamal should be kept out of the reach of children.
The label will state:
Important Warning:
Contains Iron.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children, as overdose may be fatal.
This will appear on the front of the pack within a rectangle, in which there is no other information.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Iron reduces the absorption of penicillamine, bisphosphonates, ciprofloxacin, entacapone, levodopa, levofloxacin, levothyroxine (thyroxine) (give at least 2 hours apart), moxifloxacin, mycophenolate, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, zinc. Absorption of both iron and antibiotic may be reduced if Fersamal is given with tetracycline.
Absorption of oral iron is reduced by calcium salts, Magnesium salts (as magnesium trisilicate), Trientine.
Chloramphenicol delays plasma iron clearance, incorporation of iron into red blood cells and interferes with erythropoiesis. Some inhibition of iron absorption may occur if it is taken with cholestyramine, tea, eggs or milk.
Avoid concomitant use of iron with dimercaprol.
Oral iron antagonises hypotensive effect of methyldopa.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Ferrous fumarate tablets can be used during pregnancy if clinically indicated.
Breast-feeding
No adverse effects of ferrous fumarate have been shown in breastfed infants of treated mothers. Ferrous fumarate tablets can be used during breast-feeding if clinically indicated.
Fertility
No data available
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not relevant
4.8. Undesirable effects
The following adverse reactions are classified by system organ class and ranked under heading of frequency using the following convention:
Common (≥1/100 to <1/10)
Gastrointestinal disorders:
The commonest side effects relate to gastrointestinal irritation (nausea, epigastric pain, constipation or diarrhoea). In the event of these ADRs, it may be helpful to reduce the dose or switch to an alternative iron salt.
Darkening of stools may also occur
Rare (≥1/10 000 to <1/1 000)
Immune system disorders:
Allergic reactions.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Symptoms:
Ingestion of 20 mg/kg elemental iron is potentially toxic and 200-250 mg/kg is potentially fatal. No single method of assessment is entirely satisfactory - clinical features as well as laboratory analysis must be taken into account. The serum iron taken at about 4 hours after ingestion is the best laboratory measure of severity.
Serum Iron
Severity
< 3 mg/L (55 micromol/L)
Mild toxicity
3-5 mg/L (55-90 micromol/L)
Moderate toxicity
> 5 mg/L (90 micromol/L)
Severe toxicity
Early signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The vomit and stools may be grey or black.In mild cases early features improve but in more serious cases there may be evidence of hypoperfusion (cool peripheries and hypotension), metabolic acidosis and systemic toxicity. In serious cases there can be recurrence of vomiting and gastrointestinal bleeding, 12 hours after ingestion. Shock can result from hypovolaemia or direct cardiotoxicity. Evidence of hepatocellular necrosis appears at this stage with jaundice, bleeding, hypoglycaemia, encephalopathy and positive anion gap metabolic acidosis. Poor tissue perfusion may lead to renal failure. Rarely, gastric scarring causing stricture or pyloric stenosis (alone or in combination) may lead to partial or complete bowel obstruction 2-5 weeks after ingestion.
Management:
Supportive and symptomatic measures include ensuring a clear airway, monitor cardiac rhythm, BP and urine output, establishing IV access and administering sufficient fluids to ensure adequate hydration. Consider whole bowel irrigation. If metabolic acidosis persists despite correction of hypoxia and adequate fluid resuscitation, an initial dose of 50 mmol sodium bicarbonate may be given and repeated as necessary, for adults guided by arterial blood gas monitoring (aim for a pH of 7.4). Consider the use of desferrioxamine, if /the patient is symptomatic (other than nausea), serum iron concentration is between 3-5 mg/L (55-90 micromol/L) and still rising. Haemodialysis does not remove iron effectively but should be considered on a supportive basis for acute renal failure as this will facilitate removal of the iron-desferrioxamine complex.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Ferrous fumarate 210mg Tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.