CSM warns on iron overdose
Pharmacists are being asked by the Committee on Safety
of Medicines to warn patients about the danger of young children accidentally
overdosing on dietary iron supplements. It has asked manufacturers to
change warning labels on products.
The CSM says that dietary iron supplements are commonly
taken by pregnant women and mothers of young children. Accidental ingestion
of fewer than 10 of the most commonly prescribed iron tablets (ferrous
sulphate 200mg) could be fatal to a toddler. The packaging of all licensed
oral iron supplements will include the words: “Warning: contains iron.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children, as overdose may be fatal.”
Professor Alasdair Breckenridge, chairman of the
CSM, said: “Iron is not an uncommon source of accidental overdose in small
children but fatalities are fortunately rare. Parents are often unaware
of the danger of iron overdose to small children and that they should
take normal drug safety precautions for oral iron and other dietary supplements.”
(Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance 2001;27:9–16).
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