The key difference between carbonyl iron and ferrous sulfate is that carbonyl iron is less toxic and better tolerated than the iron component in ferrous sulfate.
The terms carbonyl iron and ferrous sulfate are used mainly regarding medications for iron deficiency. These are sources of iron we can get as iron supplements. Carbonyl iron is considered as more efficient compared to the iron component that comes from ferrous sulfate. It is because of the differences in absorption, toxicity, and tolerance between them.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Carbonyl Iron
3. What is Ferrous Sulfate
4. Side by Side Comparison – Carbonyl Iron vs Ferrous Sulfate in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Carbonyl Iron?
Carbonyl iron is a medication and an iron supplement we can use to prevent low iron levels in the blood. It is important because iron is an important mineral in our body. Further, this medication is available in the form of tablets.
Further, our body absorbs this iron component slowly. Thus, the digestive effects regarding this drug are minimum. Usually, patients can tolerate this drug about 10-150 times than the standard dose of iron in ferrous sulfate. However, there can be some side effects as well. Some common side effect that can occur after taking this tablet include the followings:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- Discoloration of tooth
- Dark-colored bowel movements
What is Ferrous Sulfate?
Ferrous sulfate is a type of iron supplement which denotes a range of salts with the chemical formula FeSO4.xH2O. It is useful to prevent low levels of iron in the blood. Most commonly it occurs in the heptahydrate form. It has a blue-green appearance. Apart from medicinal applications, there are industrial uses as well.
When considering the production of this compound, it forms as a byproduct during the finishing of steel prior to plating or coating. Here, the steel sheet is passed through pickling baths of sulfuric where the ferrous sulfate formation occurs. Moreover, this compound can form in large amounts during the production of titanium dioxide from ilmenite using the sulfate process.
As a medication, physicians often recommend ferrous sulfate for iron deficiency, though it is not the best option. It is less absorbed and is also toxic. Furthermore, it can cause a number of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, constipation, etc.
What is the Difference Between Carbonyl Iron and Ferrous Sulfate?
Carbonyl iron and ferrous sulfate are important as iron supplements. The key difference between carbonyl iron and ferrous sulfate is that carbonyl iron is less toxic and better tolerated than the iron component in ferrous sulfate. Further, the absorption of carbonyl iron by our body is very high compared to the iron component in ferrous sulfate. Besides, the patients can tolerate this drug about 10-150 times than the standard dose of iron in ferrous sulfate.
Below infographic summarizes the difference between carbonyl iron and ferrous sulfate, comparatively.
Summary – Carbonyl Iron vs Ferrous Sulfate
Both carbonyl iron and ferrous sulfate are important as iron supplements. The key difference between carbonyl iron and ferrous sulfate is that carbonyl iron is less toxic and better tolerated than the iron component in ferrous sulfate.
Reference:
1. “Carbonyl Iron Uses, Side Effects & Warnings.” Drugs.com, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “P1120763C” By Thirteen Of Clubs (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Doctor said to take 325mg of ferrous sulfate…” By Tony Alter (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr