The total amount of elemental iron ingested by an intoxicated patient can be estimated based on the type of iron preparation, the dose per pill and the number of pills ingested.
Parameter:
(1) percent elemental iron in the iron preparation
(2) dose per pill
(3) number of pills ingested
(4) body weight of the patient
Iron Preparation
Molecular Wgt
Percent Elemental Iron
ferric chloride, hexahydrate (6)
270.2
20.6%
ferrous chloride, tetrahydrate (4)
198.8
28%
ferrous fumarate
169.9
32.9%
ferrous gluconate
446.1
12.5%
ferrous sulfate, heptahydrate (7)
277.9
20%
where:
• The molecular weight of iron is 55.8.
• The details for molecular weight and hydration are listed in the Merck Index.
milligrams of elemental iron ingested =
= (percent elemental iron in preparation) * (mg preparation per pill) * (number of pills ingested)
mg elemental iron ingested per kg body weight =
= (mg of elemental iron ingested) / (patient's body weight in kilograms)
where:
• The lean or ideal body weight should be used.
mg elemental iron per kg body weight
Toxicity
< 20
none or minimal
20 - 60
mild to moderate
> 60
severe
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