DRUG NAME Ferrous Fumarate (Femiron)

DOSAGE, ROUTE AND FREQUENCY Iron deficiency: Adults: 100 to 200mg P.O elemental iron daily in three divided doses.

CLASSIFICATION Iron supplement, Nutritional Supplement (Mineral)

MECHANISM OF ACTION Provides elemental iron, an essential component in the formation of hemoglobin.

CONTRAINDICATIONS - Contraindicated in patients with primary hemochromatosis or hemosiderosis, hemolytic anemia, peptic ulcer disease, regional enteriris, or ulcerative colitis.

SIDE EFFECTS - GI: nausea, pain, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, black stools, anorexia.

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES - GI upset maybe related to dose. -Between meal doses are preferable, but drug can be given with some foods, although absorption may be decreased. -Check for constipation; record color and amount of stools. -Alert: Oral iron may turn stools black. Although this unabsorbed iron is harmless, it could mask presence of melena. -Monitor hemoglobin level, hematocrit, and reticulocyte count during therapy.