Iron overdose

Iron is a mineral found in many over-the-counter supplements. Iron overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this mineral. This can be by accident or on purpose.

Iron overdose is especially dangerous for children. A severe overdose can happen if a child eats adult multivitamins, such as prenatal vitamins. If the child eats too many pediatric multivitamins, the effect is usually minor.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual overdose. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual overdose. If you or someone you are with overdoses, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.

Poisonous Ingredient

Iron can be harmful in large amounts.

Where Found

Iron is an ingredient in many mineral and vitamin supplements. Iron supplements are also sold by themselves. Types include:

• Ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Slow Fe)
• Ferrous gluconate (Fergon)
• Ferrous fumarate (Femiron, Feostat)

Other products may also contain iron.

Symptoms

Below are symptoms of an iron overdose in different parts of the body.

AIRWAYS AND LUNGS

• Buildup of fluids in the lungs

  Buildup of fluids in the lungs

  Pulmonary edema is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs. This buildup of fluid leads to shortness of breath.

   

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STOMACH AND INTESTINES

• Black, and possibly bloody stools

  Black, and possibly bloody stools

  Bloody stools often are a sign of a problem in the digestive tract. Blood in the stool may come from anywhere along your digestive tract from your m...

   

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• Diarrhea

  Diarrhea

  Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.

   

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• Liver damage
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Nausea

  Nausea

  Nausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up is forcing the contents of the stomach ...

   

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• Vomiting blood

  Vomiting blood

  Vomiting blood is regurgitating (throwing up) contents of the stomach that contains blood. Vomited blood may appear either a bright red or dark red c...

   

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HEART AND BLOOD

• Dehydration

  Dehydration

  Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how muc...

   

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• Low blood pressure
• Fast and weak pulse
• Shock

  Shock

  Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body is not getting enough blood flow. Lack of blood flow means that the cells and organs...

   

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NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Chills
• Coma (decreased level of consciousness and lack of responsiveness, may occur within 1/2 hour to 1 hour after overdose)

  Coma

  Decreased alertness is a state of reduced awareness. A coma is a state of decreased alertness from which a person cannot be awakened. A long-term co...

   

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• Convulsions
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

  Drowsiness

  Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day. People who are drowsy may fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate...

   

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• Fever
• Headache
• Lack of desire to do anything

SKIN

• Bluish-colored lips and fingernails

  Bluish-colored lips and fingernails

  Cyanosis is a bluish color to the skin or mucous membrane that is usually due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.

   

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• Flushing
• Loss of color from the skin (pallor)

  Loss of color from the skin (pallor)

  Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.

   

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Note: Symptoms may go away in a few hours, then return again after 1 day or later.

Before Calling Emergency

Have this information ready:

• Person's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medicine was prescribed for the person

Poison Control

Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

Take the container to the hospital with you, if possible.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.

The person may receive:

• Blood and urine tests, including tests to check iron levels
• Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs, and breathing machine (ventilator)
  
• Camera and tube down the throat to see the esophagus and the stomach and remove pills or stop internal bleeding
• EKG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
• Fluids through a vein (by IV)
• Medicine to help remove iron from the body and treat symptoms
• Whole bowel irrigation with a special solution to quickly flush the iron through the stomach and intestines (taken by mouth or through a tube through the nose into the stomach)
• X-ray to detect and track iron tablets through the stomach and intestines

Outlook (Prognosis)

There is a good chance of recovery if the person's symptoms are gone 48 hours after the iron overdose. But, severe liver damage can occur 2 to 5 days after the overdose. Some people have died up to a week after an iron overdose. The more quickly the person receives treatment, the better the chance for survival.

Iron overdose can be very severe in children. Children may sometimes eat large amounts of iron pills because they look like candy. Many manufacturers have changed their pills so they no longer look like candy.