AboutBarbara Judge Expertise Outpatient pharmacy and general health. I have recently completed a Pharmceutical Care Certificate Program offered by Purdue University (Spring 1999 completion). I have personal experience dealing with terminally ill persons and their needs, as well as their families` needs. I graduated in 1984 from Pharmacy School and have been a Licensed Pharmacist since then. I have 18 years retail pharmacy experience. Prior to my pharmacy training I have 3 years hospital experience as a Nurse`s Aide.
I've recently started taking iron pills (ferrous sulfate) because I've been diagnosed with anemia and ever since, I've found that I have more often abdominal cramps with more defecation urgency. I tend to have loose stools too but not watery diarrhea. Could that be side effects of the iron pills cause I've heard people mostly have to deal with constipation while taking iron pills.
Thanks !
Answer Yes, this can be a side effect of ferrous sulfate tablets. Most people do have constipation from taking iron supplements, but in some cases the body overcompensates trying to correct for the possibility of constipation to correct the problem on its own and instead you end up with loose stools or diarrhea. If this is a constant problem you may want to talk to your doctor about iron products that are not as harsh on your GI tract as ferrous sulfate tablets can be and what dose he/she would recommend for you.
