User:Mr. Ibrahem/Iron poisoning

Iron poisoning occurs from excess iron supplements resulting in acute toxicity. Symptoms in the first 6 hours may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and drowsiness. In severe cases there may be fast breathing, low blood pressure, seizures, or coma. Often people then briefly improve, after which liver problems, fever, bleeding, and metabolic acidosis may occur. It is at this point that people may die and among those who recover liver cirrhosis may occur.

Iron supplements are available over the counter as a single entity iron salt or in combination with vitamin supplements such as prenatal vitamins. Overdoses may be unintentional, predominantly occurring in young children, or intentional, as a suicide attempts in older people. The diagnosis is typically based on symptoms, history of events, and blood iron levels. Occasionally X-rays may be used to see pills in the intestines.

Initial efforts may include whole bowel irrigation. In those with severe symptoms or high iron levels treatment with deferoxamine in hospital is required. Occasionally hemodialysis or surgery may be useful. If no symptoms are present within 6 hours of ingestion, no specific treatment is generally required.

Iron poisoning is relatively common. In children it is a common reason for death from overdose. In severe poisoning the risk of death is about 10%. As a response, in 1997 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented regulations requiring warning labels and unit dose packaging for products containing more than 30 mg of elemental iron per dose.