Iron is absorbed the best when taken on an empty stomach. However, some people have stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea when taking iron and may need to take their iron with a small amount of food. Milk, calcium and antacids should NOT be taken at the same time as iron supplements. You should wait at least 2 hours after ingesting these before taking your iron supplements. Foods that you should NOT eat at the same time as you take your iron include: High fiber foods, such as whole grains, raw vegetables, and bran Foods or drinks with caffeine Some doctors suggest taking a vitamin C supplement or drinking orange juice with your iron pill to increase absorption. Drinking 8 ounces of fluid with an iron pill is also okay. Your health care provider should know about all the medicines you are taking. Iron tablets may cause other drugs you are taking to not work as well. Examples are antibiotics such as tetracycline, penicillin, and ciprofloxacin and drugs used for Parkinson s disease and seizures. At least 2 hours should elapse between doses of these drugs and iron supplements. If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose