Pharmacology of Ferrous Sulfate

Vocabulary flashcards detailing the drug profile, dosages, pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, and clinical nursing considerations for ferrous sulfate.

Ferrous Sulfate

Generic name (also known as Iron [II] Sulfate) for an inorganic iron salt classified therapeutically as a hematologic agent, hematinic, and anti-anemic.

Immediate-Release Ferrous Sulfate Tablets

Oral tablets formulated in $200\,\text{mg}$, $300\,\text{mg}$, and $325\,\text{mg}$ strengths, yielding approximately $60\text{--}65\,\text{mg}$ of elemental iron.

Pediatric Oral Drops (Ferrous Sulfate)

Liquid oral formulations available in $75\,\text{mg/mL}$ and $125\,\text{mg/mL}$ strengths, which yield approximately $15\,\text{mg}$ of elemental iron per $\text{mL}$.

Parenteral Iron Preparations

Intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) iron compounds—such as iron sucrose, ferric carboxymaltose, and low-molecular-weight iron dextran—administered instead of ferrous sulfate.

Divalent Metal Transporter 1 (DMT1)

A transporter located on the mucosal brush border of enterocytes that absorbs soluble ferrous iron ($\text{Fe}^{2+}$) primarily in the duodenum and upper jejunum.

Hephaestin and Ceruloplasmin

Copper-containing enzymes that oxidize ferrous iron ($\text{Fe}^{2+}$) to ferric iron ($\text{Fe}^{3+}$) once inside or exiting mucosal enterocytes.

Transferrin

The plasma transport protein that binds ferric iron ($\text{Fe}^{3+}$) to safely transport it through the bloodstream to target tissues without inducing oxidative damage.

Protoporphyrin IX

The precursor molecule in erythroid progenitor cells into which iron is incorporated to form heme during hemoglobin synthesis.

Myoglobin

An iron-containing muscle tissue protein that enables oxygen storage and delivery within skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues.

Ferritin and Hemosiderin

Storage proteins in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow where iron not immediately utilized for erythropoiesis is sequestered.

Hepcidin

A hepatic hormone that strictly regulates systemic iron homeostasis directly at the intestinal absorption site.

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

A severe form of iron deficiency occurring when blood has low amounts of red blood cells or hemoglobin due to inadequate iron.

Phytates

Substances found in high concentrations in beverages like coffee and tea that impair gastrointestinal iron absorption.

Vitamin C (Co-administration)

An agent given concurrently with ferrous sulfate to maintain iron in the soluble $\text{Fe}^{2+}$ state, enhancing duodenal absorption.

Tooth Staining Prevention Protocol

Diluting liquid iron formulations and administering them via a straw or dropper placed back on the tongue, followed by immediate mouth rinsing or tooth brushing.