Iron
A mineral the body needs to make hemoglobin and myoglobin, the proteins that carry and supply oxygen to the body's tissues.
What it is
Iron is a mineral the body needs for growth and development. The body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and myoglobin, a protein that supplies oxygen to muscles. Iron in supplements is often in the form of ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferric citrate, or ferric sulfate. Iron-containing supplements carry a required label warning about the risk of fatal poisoning in young children who take an overdose.
Food and timing considerations
The body absorbs iron from plant sources better when it's eaten with meat, poultry, seafood, and foods containing vitamin C. Calcium may interfere with iron absorption; taking calcium and iron supplements at different times of day may help prevent this.
Known interaction categories
- Insufficient evidence
- Monitor
- Use caution
- Informational
Published interaction pages on this site
Use caution (3)
Informational (1)
Insufficient evidence (28)
- Iron and AmlodipineInsufficient evidence
- Iron and AshwagandhaInsufficient evidence
- Iron and AspirinInsufficient evidence
- Iron and AtorvastatinInsufficient evidence
- Iron and CaffeineInsufficient evidence
- Iron and CopperInsufficient evidence
- Iron and CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)Insufficient evidence
- Iron and CreatineInsufficient evidence
- Iron and EscitalopramInsufficient evidence
- Iron and Folate / Folic AcidInsufficient evidence
- Iron and IbuprofenInsufficient evidence
- Iron and LisinoprilInsufficient evidence
- Iron and LosartanInsufficient evidence
- Iron and MagnesiumInsufficient evidence
- Iron and MelatoninInsufficient evidence
- Iron and MetforminInsufficient evidence
- Iron and Omega-3 / Fish OilInsufficient evidence
- Iron and PotassiumInsufficient evidence
- Iron and ProbioticsInsufficient evidence
- Iron and SertralineInsufficient evidence
- Iron and SpironolactoneInsufficient evidence
- Iron and St. John's WortInsufficient evidence
- Iron and TurmericInsufficient evidence
- Iron and Vitamin B12Insufficient evidence
- Iron and Vitamin DInsufficient evidence
- Iron and Vitamin EInsufficient evidence
- Iron and Vitamin KInsufficient evidence
- Iron and WarfarinInsufficient evidence
Related guides
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-08-22
Medical information disclaimer: this information is general and educational. It does not diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, or determine whether a combination is safe for you personally. Follow your prescription label and ask a pharmacist or clinician before starting, stopping, or combining products. Full disclaimer.