This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Ferrous sulfate (or sulphate) is a type of iron that's used as a medicine to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia.
Iron helps the body to make healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. Some things such as blood loss, pregnancy or too little iron in your diet can make your iron supply drop too low, leading to anaemia.
Ferrous sulfate comes as tablets, or as drops that you swallow.
It is available on prescription and to buy from pharmacies.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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