Why does iron pills cause constipation




















Thankfully, a new formulation of iron was developed that is able to virtually eliminate the side effect potential of taking an iron supplement, while reliably raising ferritin levels. Non-ionic iron is an important distinction to look for when choosing an iron, because the splitting into ions in the stomach is the main reason that patients will experience an upset stomach and constipation when taking typical iron supplements.

When there is an increase in the number of ions in the stomach, more water is drawn to the stomach through ADH secretion to dilute this elevated concentration of ions. In order to do this, water is pulled away from the lower gastrointestinal system, making stools harder, and more difficult to pass. Author: Healthwise Staff. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional.

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Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents Introduction Examples Possible side effects What to know about taking this medicine Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Introduction People take iron supplements when their bodies do not have enough iron.

Possible side effects Common side effects may include: Stomach ache. Black stools. What to know about taking this medicine Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse call line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. Try to take the pills on an empty stomach about 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

But you may need to take the iron with food to avoid a stomach ache. Do not take antacids or drink milk or caffeine drinks such as coffee, tea, or cola at the same time or within 2 hours of the time that you take your iron pills. They can keep your body from absorbing the iron well. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. Read more: Are Supplements Safe? Though most people get enough iron from their diets, certain groups of people may have trouble getting adequate amounts.

Chen says. Frequent blood donors and individuals with cancer, gastrointestinal disorders or heart failure are also more likely to have iron deficiency, per the NIH. For these people, taking a daily iron supplement may be necessary. However, the NIH points out that iron-only supplements usually contain way more than you need, with many delivering as much as 65 milligrams or percent of your daily value. If you have a health condition or are concerned about your iron levels, talk to your doctor about whether an iron supplement is right for you, and which kind of supplement you should take.

If you must take a daily multivitamin or dietary supplement containing iron, there are a few things you can do to combat getting clogged up. First, try simple, standard constipation treatments such as increasing your water and fiber intake and being more active, suggests Dr.

Exercising is a tried-and-true, natural way to stimulate a bowel movement. Certain yoga poses — that involve twisting and forward bends — are particularly helpful for promoting poop. Miralax can also be effective to soften the stool," Dr.

Read more: Struggling to Poop? But if these methods aren't enough to get things flowing, you can also try to change the way you're obtaining your iron.



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