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Ferrous sulfate User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Iron Sulfate, Slow Fe, Feosol Original, Slow Release Iron, Fer-In-Sol, Feratab, Ferro-Time, Ferrousal, Ferrospace, Fero-Gradumet Filmtab, Chem-Sol Fe 50 Fe Caps …show all brand names

Ferrous sulfate has an average rating of 5.4 out of 10 from a total of 43 reviews on Drugs.com. 40% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 35% reported a negative experience.

Condition Avg. Rating Reviews Compare
Iron Deficiency Anemia
5.1
39 reviews for Iron Deficiency Anemia 94 medications
Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency
7.0
3 reviews for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency 837 medications
Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation during Pregnancy/Lactation
10.0
1 reviews for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation during Pregnancy/Lactation 567 medications

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Reviews for Ferrous sulfate

  • tra...
  • October 29, 2008

Slow Fe (ferrous sulfate) for Iron Deficiency Anemia "I was anemic for years, and thought it was just the way I was. I had no idea that the soda I was drinking was stopping my body from absorbing iron (and calcium). One night, my heart rate didn't slow down. I woke my husband, and we went to the hospital. I found that my anemia was so bad that my red blood cells couldn't get enough oxygen to my body, and my heart was racing trying to get more oxygen delivered. The doctors said my heart would have just given up had I not come in. I found 'normal' iron pills gave me horrible, painful gas. Slow Fe was the only iron that didn't. It's made differently than iron pills and your body is able to break it down without the difficult side effects, but it can cause constipation. I eat 3 prunes a day."

9 / 10
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241 Report
  • Kat...
  • November 15, 2013

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "Technically, this helped my anemia - got me from ferritin levels of about 5 to 15 in three months. Apparently, it should have been much more though, so not sure what I did wrong. Anyway, it did help most of my bad anemia symptoms - heart palpitations, restless leg, tiredness when just walking to the shops. Downside is that it tends to mess up my digestion - unlike other people here who said it constipates them, it gives me diarrhea, especially when I drink it with juice."

8 / 10
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121 Report
  • fee...
  • August 1, 2011

Slow Fe (ferrous sulfate) for Iron Deficiency Anemia "I have really bad acid reflux and had suffered from anemia most of my adult life due to heavy periods. Regular iron supplements would irritate the lining of my stomach and cause lots of pain but this product is great. I have been taking Slow Fe for two weeks and I feel better already. I have more energy, less shortness of breath, less pain in my body and I don't crave for ice anymore. It can only get better. My iron level was 9.0 before starting Slow Fe. I will go to my doctor sometime in August. The only side effect is mild constipation."

10 / 10
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133 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • November 23, 2011

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I have only been taking ferrous sulfate for 3 weeks but have found the results beneficial. My anemia was affecting my school work and social life as I had no energy to walk and it was really challenging me. Now, I can do normal things and don't get as tired - I believe they are working very well. But, I seem to have got the short straw with the side effects. I now suffer from great constipation. I am also nauseous most days and my appetite has been lost. So, even though I have more energy etc., I am still not myself as I am always feeling sick or having bowel troubles."

6 / 10
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128 Report
  • Onl...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 18, 2017

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I have been taking this medication for about 3 weeks, and I am using a generic over-the-counter brand. When I started the medication, I was told to be prepared for some slight constipation. What I wasn't told was that this medication would cause me terrible diarrhea. For the last week and a half, I have been having watery diarrhea 5-7 times a day, and this side effect is more negative and has impaired my life more than the anemia did. I got off the medication 3 days ago, but the diarrhea still hasn't stopped and doesn't show any signs of stopping soon either. I wanted to write this review for anyone who was only told to expect constipation like I was, as it isn't always the case!!"

4 / 10
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78 Report

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  • Lul...
  • August 7, 2015

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "After being terrified of blood tests for years, I finally had one after my fainting got worse and I thought it'd be smart to check it out. I always knew it'd be lack of iron because I'm not a fan of the foods that contain iron. I've been taking the ferrous sulfate for nearly 2 months now and although I feel so much more energetic and no longer get tired at the top of the stairs or faint, I often get awful stomach cramps of which I expect is due to the constipation. But I can only describe them as being a whole lot worse than period pains and also a huge lack in appetite. I'm already underweight and I worry I'll get further complications due to not eating other types of food, but all in all the pills have made me feel so much more energized."

9 / 10
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78 Report
  • Too...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 19, 2017

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I was prescribed to take 300 mg a day, along with stool softeners because this product is known to cause constipation. Thankfully I waited to take the stool softeners because I have been taking this medication for 6 days and have been glued to the toilet for 2 of them. I haven't noticed any positive effects from this medication. A full list of my side effects so far has been: feeling like I'm going to throw up, my stomach gurgling a lot, painful gas, and very strong diarrhea (very watery about 4 times in the morning then 5/6 during the daytime)."

2 / 10
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62 Report
  • Iky...
  • October 25, 2019

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "Having suffered with low iron since a teenager, feeling lethargic had become the norm. My eyes looked tired. My body felt tired. My short-term memory was poor at best. Concentration lacked massively. At 40 years, I decided to discuss this with my GP. I mentioned how I was sleeping maybe 10+ hours each night. I work part-time, meditate when I can, and generally try to relax. So yes, I have responsibilities but nothing out of my comfort zone. Why am I so exhausted? The findings from blood work - borderline anemic. Tabs prescription - 5 weeks on and I’m being complimented at work for upping my game. Concentration is good, memory has improved, I no longer feel as tired, and my eyes feel alert. I’m smiling as I once thought the lethargy was me... it’s not! I will mention, yes I’ve been constipated, also had a few headaches, but nothing that a laxative and maybe the odd headache tablet plus a good diet can’t fix."

8 / 10
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45 Report
  • Har...
  • December 1, 2016

Slow Fe (ferrous sulfate) for Iron Deficiency Anemia "The pill itself is fine, but the package is ridiculous. The pills are too hard to get out of the package. I had to cut, poke with a knife and scissors, etc. Please make a more user-friendly package or just put it in a bottle. Having arthritis and less flexibility in my hands, it was impossible to get the pill out in a solid piece. It's most likely my only purchase of Slow Fe unless I can find one in a different package."

3 / 10
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59 Report
  • Tas...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 10, 2020

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I was prescribed this medication for iron deficiency anemia. I was scared to take it for so long because of the constipation everyone complains about. I finally took it and haven’t dealt with any constipation at all! I take it with a glass of orange juice to help with the absorption of iron and drink plenty of water every day. Also, I eat greens at least once a day. I've only been taking it for 3 days now, and I need to take it for a month, but so far I don’t have any negative symptoms at all."

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40 Report
  • kat...
  • June 27, 2017

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I had restless legs. It was so bad I couldn't sleep at night. The original meds I was taking for it quit working all of a sudden. I had been taking pramipexole. My doc said there was nothing else she could do for me. I requested an appointment with a neurologist. He prescribed Feosol. It worked like a charm. God bless him as I was in bad shape not being able to sleep and going to work the next day. If your GP can't help you, always ask for a specialist. I found Feosol at CVS Pharmacy. If you can't find it, always ask the pharmacist. It is an OTC med."

10 / 10
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42 Report
  • Cat...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 16, 2020

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "Dr thinks because my red platelets, that were 11, were the cause of too much blood taken through phlebotomy. I’ve been taking Feosol 325 mg once a day with dinner. 10 days later, I’m sick with flu-like symptoms including painful diarrhea. I’m to finish this iron course in 3 weeks with recheck labs in a month. If iron fails to correct, it means I’ve graduated to myofibrosis (sp?). Keep me in your prayers, please, and I’ll keep you in mine."

5 / 10
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28 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 28, 2010

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "This form of iron gives me massive, cluster-like headaches. I switched to an iron gluconate time-release dose and have no headaches, but do have some minor stomach upset and constipation. Those I can live with!"

1 / 10
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63 Report
  • Mes...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 4, 2018

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "If I can say it this way, it's nice to hear others' comments and realize I am not crazy. I don't understand why doctors and pharmacists only mention possible constipation and never talk about diarrhea. I felt like I was from another world. I've been prescribed Ferrous Sulfate a few years back, and from what I remember, it went quite well. In the past years, again, my iron level was low, and I started again but had constipation and stomach pain. I then tried Eurofer, and a week or so for a few days, I got diarrhea, getting worse and bad abdominal pain. I have switched to Feramax 150, another type of iron supplement, that so far is really great. Although not covered by insurance, I would rather pay than feel bad. Good luck, everyone."

4 / 10
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34 Report
  • Jea...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 13, 2023

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I was really anxious starting these tablets after reading the reviews, but after days, I managed to finally do it with God by my side helping me to overcome. The doctor advised two 200mg a day, but I take one a day and I've also added more iron into my diet daily. The side effects weren't as bad as the reviews had said. I ate food, then had tablets after with orange juice to avoid any sickness. I had a very mild stomach upset and woke with very mild diarrhea in the morning on the first day only, but that was it. The stomach upset would come and go, but it was mild. I had no constipation, sickness, or pain. Just a little upset stomach, which improved as the days went on. I yawned more too and slept a bit more, but that could have been because of the low iron. I'm now on day 6 and for the last 2-3 days, I've felt much better. My body has adjusted and my stomach is much better. I'm noticing I'm not as exhausted after work."

8 / 10
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8 Report
  • Kay...
  • September 17, 2020

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I was told at my yearly doctor appointment I was anemic. Put on this drug for 6 weeks and at recheck she said I needed to take another prescription. At first, I did okay with the black stools and just a bit of runny stools. It increased and I was running to the bathroom 6 to 10 times every morning. Everything I ate, the brat diet, went right through me. I called the doctor and said I needed to stop the drug. It’s been 2 and a half weeks and I’m still having diarrhea. Tried Pepto-Bismol. Now trying Imodium. This is horrible. I wish it would stop. And by the way, I was not having any symptoms to make me think I was low in iron. Want to let people be careful."

1 / 10
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24 Report
  • Sha...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 2, 2020

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I've been taking this for three months now. I no longer feel weak in my chest, and I feel I'm getting enough oxygen. Which is great, but my digestive system is so off, and I have regular nausea, stomach ache, and mild constipation. It's making me miserable, as there's nothing worse than nausea."

7 / 10
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24 Report
  • Fru...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • July 1, 2020

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I have been anemic for most of my life. I’ve had all the tests looking for the reason. I have tried multiple times to take every kind of iron there is, and they all have the same side effect, impacting constipation. I was in a lot of pain from the constipation. I could not go through that on a regular basis. Laxatives, stool softeners just didn’t work. My iron was literally gone. I asked if the iron could be done intravenously, and my doctor said yes. So I got my iron in my body by infusion. My iron is right on target after 3 15-minute infusions. A lot more expensive, but so worth it."

10 / 10
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22 Report
  • mis...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • February 4, 2021

Slow Fe (ferrous sulfate) for Iron Deficiency Anemia "My doctor has me on Slow Fe. At first, it was impossible to get them out of the packaging. Then I read the directions. When pulled apart, you will see a tiny pair of scissors. Look for the corner slightly pulled back. Opens very easily. Just peel it back. But watch out, those pills are slippery. Hope this helps."

9 / 10
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19 Report
  • Fee...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 12, 2018

FeroSul (ferrous sulfate) "I have been suffering with very heavy periods for quite some time and was beginning to feel really weak. After reviewing my blood work results, my doctor recommended iron and prescribed FeroSul. Insurance did not cover the prescription, but that's okay as it was super cheap as a cash payment at my local pharmacy. FeroSul has been great at preventing full-blown anemia for me. (Which I've experienced before.) I have no problems in taking it. No stomach upset of any sort. I always take it with my lunch each day. I am happy with the results. I no longer feel so weak and tired."

10 / 10
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29 Report
  • Liz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 25, 2019

Feosol Original (ferrous sulfate) for Iron Deficiency Anemia "My doctor had me taking this twice a day. The first dose in the morning was fine. After my second dose, I was so sick! I was throwing up every 1/2 hour for 8 hours. I couldn’t even keep small sips of water down. So, my doctor prescribed an anti-nausea drug. When I picked that up, I also picked up a different iron pill called Vitron-C. Not sure how these will be because I just started them."

1 / 10
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24 Report
  • Lso...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 22, 2020

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "My 82 yr old father was prescribed ferrous sulfate and had horrible side effects. Black, tarry stool, constipation, severe belly pain, green diarrhea, and low-grade temperature. Unfortunately, it took a while to figure out it was the medication. He suffered for weeks before we finally stopped it, and still a week before the side effects went away."

1 / 10
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20 Report
  • dc4...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 29, 2016

For Iron Deficiency Anemia "I have been taking this for a week now. My doctor prescribed stool softeners to take with it as well, so I'm not having any problems with the constipation. My hemoglobin is at a 9, and my ferritin level is at a 7. The very first day I took it, I got so sick (nausea, stomach pains, light-headed, and sweating). I have to take it twice a day, and the side effects are less apparent than before. I hope this works."

10 / 10
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30 Report
  • Tar...
  • January 23, 2009

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation during Pregnancy/Lactation "I have been taking ferrous sulfate for more than a year now. Something of surprise to me is I used to have restless legs syndrome, but now I do not have it anymore. I take ferrous sulfate 3 times a day."

10 / 10
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44 Report
  • Tod...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 23, 2020

For Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation and Deficiency "Day 3, I got extreme acid, bloat, gas, and what felt like heart palpitations. I stopped taking ferrous and still, 3 days later after stopping, I still had symptoms. No over-the-counter meds helped, I ended up going to the hospital due to the severity."

1 / 10
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14 Report
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