Dear Editor:
Are vitamins or iron supplements part of your daily routine? Many people who take these products never realize that they can pose a serious risk for fatal poisonings. That is why directions should be carefully followed. Iron poisoning is a leading cause of death in children due to poisoning. Most kinds of vitamins with iron resemble candy, and even a few pills taken accidentally could be fatal to a small child. Many children’s vitamins and adult multivitamins contain iron. Also, it is important to note that prenatal vitamins and iron supplements contain large amounts of iron.
What you can do to prevent iron poisoning:
1. Keep all vitamins and supplements well out of reach of children at all times, and supervise children if they take vitamins.
2. Buy vitamins that do not contain additional iron, unless specifically directed to do so by your doctor.
3. The FDA now requires each tablet to be wrapped individually if it contains over 30 milligrams of iron. As a result, some manufacturers have changed the amount of iron per pill. Read iron supplement labels carefully.
4. Call the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) if you have any questions or concerns.
For immediate treatment advice, as well as for prevention information, call 1-800-222-1222; trained medical professionals will provide you with the up-to-date emergency treatment advice and will answer any drug or poison information question you may have. We are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
Remember, help is just a phone call away.
Roberta Swenson, MPH
NJPIES