Does Slow FE cause stomach cramping/constipation? Does it come in a mild form?

Answers (2)

Yes. Unfortunately stomach cramping and constipation are considered common side effects of Slow Fe (ferrous sulfate).
see http://www.drugs.com/mtm/slow-fe.html

If the constipation becomes a problem you should mention it to your doctor.

Depending on your need for the iron supplement - you could try adding more iron rich foods to your diet see http://www.drugs.com/cg/iron-rich-diet.html
You may then be able to decrease the dose of the supplement (on your doctor's advice).
You could also try increasing the fiber in your diet or taking a fiber supplement (such as Metamucil). A proper exercise routine and drinking plenty of water will also help.
Taking the iron supplement with vitamin C rich foods (such as orange juice) will make sure that the iron absorption is maximized.

Votes: +0 / -0

My oncologist told me it can cause these symptoms, so he told me to take one tablet a day for a week and then titrate up to 3 tablets a day as tolerated. He said my body would adjust to it better that way.

Votes: +0 / -0

You may also be interested in...