What is the Difference Between Ferrous Fumarate and Ferrous Sulfate?

Ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulfate are both iron supplements used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia. The main difference between them lies in the amount of elemental iron they contain and their bioavailability.

• Ferrous Fumarate: Contains approximately 33% elemental iron by weight, making it a more potent option. It is used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia and is available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, or as a liquid.
• Ferrous Sulfate: Contains about 20% elemental iron by weight. It is also used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia and is available as tablets, drops, or as modified-release tablets and capsules.

Both compounds effectively increase hemoglobin concentrations, but their absorption rate, tolerability, side effects (like constipation or stomach upset), and interactions with other medications should be considered when choosing between them. In terms of bioavailability, ferrous fumarate is considered to be as well absorbed as ferrous sulfate in non-anemic, iron-sufficient infants and young children. However, the severity of side effects is dependent on the dose, with more elemental iron resulting in more side effects.

Comparative Table: Ferrous Fumarate vs Ferrous Sulfate

Here is a table comparing the differences between ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulfate:

Both ferrous fumarate and ferrous sulfate are used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anemia, but they differ in their elemental iron content, absorption, and side effects. Ferrous fumarate provides a higher amount of elemental iron than ferrous sulfate, which may result in faster or more effective treatment. However, the severity of side effects is dependent on the dose, so a higher elemental iron amount could also result in more side effects.