Saturday, September 23, 2006

# 35

35. DISCUSS THE PATIENT EDUCATION NEEDED FOR THE CLIENT TAKING IRON SUPPLEMENTS: DIET EDUCATION
Oral preparations are most effectively absorbed if administered 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals. If gastric irritation occurs, administer with meals. Take tablets and capsules with a full glass of water or juice. Do not crush or chew enteric-coated tablets and do not open capsules .
Avoid using antacids, coffee, tea, dairy products, eggs, or whole-grain breads with or within 1 hr after administration of ferrous salts. Iron absorption is decreased by 33% if iron and calcium are given with meals. If calcium supplementation is needed, calcium carbonate does not decrease absorption of iron salts if supplements are administered between meals.
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4 comments:

Michelle M. said...

Iron tablets are usually taken 3 times a day, in between meals, with a snack and a source of Vitamin C. This medicine may cause nausea, and the snack may help decrease this. Iron also can cause your stools to be black or tarry-looking, which is normal when taking iron.
It is important to tell your health professional if you have trouble taking iron supplements. There are several sources available.

Following are some tips to help you better tolerate iron supplements:
•Avoid taking iron with a phosphate binder (i.e. Calcium carbonate, Tums, Phos-Exg, Phos-Low, Cal-Carb, k, Calcium acetate, etc.)
•Calcium binds with iron and makes it unavailable for absorption by the body. if a calcium binder is taken with meals, wait at least one hour after a meal before taking iron.
•Take the iron supplement with a snack, such as unsalted crackers or toast. Including foods high in Vitamin C, helps to increase the absorption of iron in your body.

Examples of foods high in Vitamin C include:
•Vitamin C fortified cranberry juice or ''/z cup orange juice
•'/2cup grapefruit juice or ''/z grapefruit
•''/z cup mandarin oranges
•''/z cup strawberries

Be sure to choose fruits or fluids within your meal plan and fluid restriction guidelines.
•Avoid taking iron with coffee or tea (wait at least one hour) as well as eggs or milk. All of these foods keep iron from absorbing in your body.
•Iron can cause constipation, so include more raw fruits and vegetables in your diet. Be sure to choose foods within your meal plan, such as low potassium fruits and vegetables.

For examples of foods to eat, refer to the Renal Food Groups handout.
•Avoid All-Bran cereal, whole grain products and bran muffins that are high in potassium and phosphorus.
•Ask your doctor for a laxative or stool softener to help prevent constipation.

8:39 PM
Michelle M. said...

all of the measurements should say 1/2

8:42 PM
Michelle M. said...

my info found on the internet

8:44 PM
Danielle Mathias-Lamb said...

From Crissy

Iron is necessary for the formation and function of red blood cells and in tiny amounts, the mineral is also necessary for the chemical functioning of many of the bodies' cells. Ingesting more then 40mg/kg can cause iron toxicity, and ingesting 60mg/kg or more can be lethal. Iron tablets, which have an astringent affect, act locally on the bowel mucosa and can cause constipation, or diarrhea. They can also cause black colored stools, from the oxidation of the iron.
Interactions with iron supplements may occur with the following:
antacids
penicillamine (Cuprimine, Depen)
levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa)
methyldopa (Aldomet)
quinolone antibiotics (Cipro, Floxin)
cimetidine (Tagamet)
tetracycline antibiotic (Achromycin)
Side effects:
Minor:
heartburn
nausea
vomiting
constipation
diarrhea
black stools
Major:
stomach pain or cramping
bloody stools
Iron should only be taken for very specific reasons and only under a physician's direction. These reasons are as follows:
Iron deficiency anemia. Anemia means a low red blood cell count. An anemia may be due to lack of iron in the diet, blood loss in the intestinal tract or excessive menstrual flow
Pregnancy
Except for these two reasons, do not take iron, even the small amount in a daily vitamin-mineral pill, unless advised by a physician.
Major food sources of Iron:
Beef, chicken, shellfish, tuna, organ meats, beats, beans, prune juice, dates, spinach, raisins, soybeans, bran, eggs, peanuts.

9:55 PM

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