Ferric Citrate

Ferric Citrate is used to treat high phosphate level in the body. It works by flushing out the excess amount of phosphate from the body to modulate its level in the body. This condition is usually seen in patients with kidney disease.

Ferric Citrate should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. An overdose of this medicine may have harmful effects on your health. It should be taken after meals. Do not stop taking it suddenly without discussing with your doctor.

While on the medication, you may experience discolouration of stool, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, cough, abdominal pain, increased potassium level in blood as its side effects. You must consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration.

Breastfeeding and pregnant woment should consult the doctor before receiving the treatment. Also, tell your doctor if your are on any medication for any health conditions.

• Iron deficiency
• High phosphate levels in blood

Iron deficiency
Iron is an important constituent of hemoglobin, myoglobin and other enzymes essential for various body functions. Deficiency of iron can lead to fatigue, heart problems such as palpitations, shortness of breath and will adversely affect your overall health. Ferric Citrate contains ferric citrate, a form of iron, as an active ingredient. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen around the body. Take Ferric Citrate as advised by the doctor to get the most benefit.

High phosphate levels in blood
Our body needs phosphate for various life functions such as strengthening of bones and teeth, production of energy and forming outer layers of cells in our body called cell membrane. But too much phosphate in our blood can cause serious complications such as heart attack, stroke as well as kidney damage. Ferric Citrate helps to lower the phosphate levels in our blood and prevents these complications particularly in patients who are on dialysis and are unable to get rid of excess phosphate levels through kidneys. Take Ferric Citrate as prescribed by the doctor to get the most of this medicine.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Feroact

• Discoloration of stool
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Cough
• Abdominal pain
• Increased potassium level in blood

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Ferric Citrate is to be taken with food.

Ferric Citrate is an iron salt. When used to lower phosphate level in blood, it works by binding to the phosphates taken through diet, and limits their absorption. When used to treat iron deficiency, it works by converting to the ferrous form (Fe2+) allowing the absorption of the iron component in the same form as dietary iron. Ferric Citrate is a ferric salt. It works by binding with the phosphate in the stomach that is acquired from the food, then it gets precipitated into ferric phosphate. This ferric phosphate is flushed out of the body via stool to prevent the absorption of phosphate in the body. This is how it regulates the level of phosphate in the body.

• Do not chew or crush Ferric Citrate because tablets may cause discoloration of mouth and teeth.
• This medicine can make your stools look darker in color. This is completely harmless.
• Inform your doctor if you experience severe diarrhea, nausea, constipation, vomiting, or abdominal pain after taking this medicine.
• Keep this product out of the reach of children and seek immediate medical attention if the child consumes it accidentally.

Ferric Citrate [FDA Label]. New York, NY: Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.; 2014. [Accessed 05 Feb. 2020] (online) Available from: