Free tool
Can I eat this with Ferrous sulfate?
Some foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee, eggs and dairy, stop your body absorbing iron from ferrous sulfate, so timing around meals matters.
Also sold as ActiFerr-S, Feospan, FerroDose-S, Ferrograd, FerroNorm, FerroTab, IroFate, Ironorm, Purosure Ferrous sulfate, Slow-Fe. Brand names from the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices.
Our Iron supplements page also covers Ferrous sulfate and gives one answer for the whole group. This page follows Ferrous sulfate’s own NHS page, so where the two differ, go by this one.
Type any food below for an instant verdict — we check 64 foods and drinks for Ferrous sulfate (0 to avoid, 16 to take care with) — or tap one below.
Quick answers
- Should I take Ferrous sulfate with food?
- Take it 30 minutes before eating or 2 hours after; if it upsets your stomach, take it with or after food.
- Can I drink tea with Ferrous sulfate?
- Yes, with care. Leave a 2-hour gap between your iron and tea.
- Can I drink coffee with Ferrous sulfate?
- Yes, with care. Leave a 2-hour gap between your iron and coffee.
- Can I eat eggs with Ferrous sulfate?
- Yes, with care. Keep eggs 2 hours away from your iron dose.
- Can I drink milk with Ferrous sulfate?
- Yes, with care. Leave a 2-hour gap between milk and your iron.
- Can I eat yoghurt with Ferrous sulfate?
- Yes, with care. Keep dairy foods 2 hours away from your iron dose.
Grounded in the checker below. Not a substitute for your pharmacist.
1 · What do you take?
Some foods and drinks, such as tea, coffee, eggs and dairy, stop your body absorbing iron from ferrous sulfate, so timing around meals matters.
Ferrous sulfate works best on an empty stomach, but you can take it with food if it upsets your stomach. Leave a 2-hour gap before tea, coffee, eggs or dairy products. Orange juice or vitamin C may help you absorb more iron.
Browse our medication food guides →2 · What do you want to eat or drink?
When to take it: Take it 30 minutes before eating or 2 hours after; if it upsets your stomach, take it with or after food.
Tap a food to see the answer, or type any food or drink in the box above.
Take care with Ferrous sulfate· 16
Fine with Ferrous sulfate· 48
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This checker summarises published guidance (NHS medicine pages, patient information leaflets and drug labels) for general information only. It is not medical advice, it is not exhaustive, and it cannot account for your dose, kidney function, other medicines, or health conditions. Always follow your prescriber, pharmacist, or the patient information leaflet — especially before changing what you eat or drink. See our editorial policy.
Further reading on Ferrous sulfate
The pages our answers quote. Every answer shows “Where this comes from” with the exact words, checked 6 October 2026. How we check
NHS website
About ferrous sulfate
NHS medicines information on ferrous sulfate – what it's used for and key facts.
NHS website
Who can and cannot take ferrous sulfate
NHS medicines information on who can take ferrous sulfate and who may not be able to take it.
NHS website
How and when to take ferrous sulfate
NHS medicines information on dosage for ferrous sulfate, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much.
NHS website
Side effects of ferrous sulfate
NHS medicines information on side effects of ferrous sulfate and what you can do to cope.
NHS website
Taking ferrous sulfate with other medicines and herbal supplements
NHS medicines information on possible interactions with ferrous sulfate and other medicines, herbal remedies and supplements.
The Journal
Read our medication food guides →
A full Ferrous sulfate guide is on its way. Meanwhile, the Journal covers timing, grapefruit, alcohol and more.
Food groups that matter with Ferrous sulfate
Every medicine each one affects, on one page.
Medicines with similar food rules
Affected by the same foods as Ferrous sulfate.