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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Exp 50 years

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What Causes Vomiting While On Iron Supplement?

My father is 79 years old. He has diabetes and a pacemaker. He is insanely cold all of the time. He saw his primary care doctor Friday. He prescribed iron due to his kidneys. He has taken it for 3 days and always after eating. Today he began throwing up. He has thrown up several times in the last hour. I've never known of my father to vomit. Could the iron be the cause?
Thank you. Stephanie Walker
Fri, 3 Mar 2017
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic!
I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns.
Iron pills commonly cause gastric disturbances and vomiting especially in elderly and in pregnancy.Recent studies tells more than 20% patients experience GI disturbances with oral iron preparations.There is nothing to worry in it and symptoms will subside once you stop the medicines or change in to a more compliant formulation.
You can try the following to avoid gastritis and vomiting:
1.Do not take iron pill in an empty stomach.
2.You can give PPI(proton pum inhibitors) like omeprazole along with iron tablets to avoid gastritis.
3.Take Domperidone along with iron to decrease nausea and vomiting.
4.Avoid spicy foods when you are on iron therapy.
If he couldn't tolerate oral iron despite all these he may require iron transfusion to replenish his iron stores.
Hope this information helps.
Regards.
Dr.Shinas Hussain
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What Causes Vomiting While On Iron Supplement?

Hello, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic! I have gone through your query and I can understand your concerns. Iron pills commonly cause gastric disturbances and vomiting especially in elderly and in pregnancy.Recent studies tells more than 20% patients experience GI disturbances with oral iron preparations.There is nothing to worry in it and symptoms will subside once you stop the medicines or change in to a more compliant formulation. You can try the following to avoid gastritis and vomiting: 1.Do not take iron pill in an empty stomach. 2.You can give PPI(proton pum inhibitors) like omeprazole along with iron tablets to avoid gastritis. 3.Take Domperidone along with iron to decrease nausea and vomiting. 4.Avoid spicy foods when you are on iron therapy. If he couldn t tolerate oral iron despite all these he may require iron transfusion to replenish his iron stores. Hope this information helps. Regards. Dr.Shinas Hussain