12th March 2024

Iron poisoning

Iron is found in numerous over the counter vitamin supplement tablets, and as few as 10 tablets can cause severe poisoning, especially in a child. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In severe cases, hypotension and metabolic acidosis can occur. Serum iron levels can be measured and desferrioxamine mesylate provides an effective antidote by chelating excess circulating iron.