Comprehensive medication guide to Iron Carbonyl including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0 for eligible patients with a prescription and private insurance coverage; OTC purchases typically not covered by Medicare Part D; Medicaid may cover prescribed iron for pregnant women.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$11–$25 retail for brand Feosol Natural Release; as low as $3.24 for a 90-day supply of generic carbonyl iron with a GoodRx or SingleCare discount card.
Medfinder Findability Score
75/100
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Iron Carbonyl (carbonyl iron) is an over-the-counter iron replacement supplement used to treat and prevent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). It is available under brand names including Feosol Natural Release, Icar, Ferra-Cap, Wee Care, and Vitron-C (combination with vitamin C), as well as generic carbonyl iron tablets and liquid suspensions.
Unlike traditional ferrous iron salts (such as ferrous sulfate), Iron Carbonyl is composed of elemental iron — uncharged, pure iron particles produced through the thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl. These microscopic spherical particles must be converted to ferrous iron by stomach acid before absorption. This unique mechanism gives Iron Carbonyl a distinctive safety profile, particularly in households with young children, and makes it a preferred choice for patients who experience GI intolerance with conventional iron supplements.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide, affecting an estimated 10 million Americans. Iron Carbonyl is used across a wide range of patient populations, including pregnant women, infants, and adults with chronic blood loss or malabsorption conditions who require ongoing iron supplementation.
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Iron Carbonyl delivers elemental iron (Fe0) in the form of submicroscopic spherical particles approximately 1 micron in diameter. After ingestion, these particles reach the stomach where hydrochloric acid (HCl) converts the elemental iron to ferrous iron (Fe2+) through a pH-dependent chemical reaction. Only the fraction of iron converted by stomach acid is available for absorption — this rate-limiting step is what makes carbonyl iron significantly safer in overdose than immediately-soluble ferrous salts.
The ferrous iron then moves to the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), where it is absorbed via DMT-1 transporters on intestinal epithelial cells. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) enhances absorption by maintaining iron in the ferrous state. Once in the bloodstream, iron is oxidized to ferric iron (Fe3+), bound to transferrin, and delivered to the bone marrow where it is incorporated into hemoglobin — the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Iron Carbonyl has approximately 70% the bioavailability of ferrous sulfate on a milligram-for-milligram basis, reflecting the incomplete conversion efficiency at the gastric level.
Treatment results appear within 1–2 weeks (rising reticulocyte count), with hemoglobin normalization typically occurring over 3–6 months. Iron stores (serum ferritin) take an additional 6–8 weeks to fully replenish after hemoglobin normalizes. Hepcidin — the liver's iron-regulatory hormone — controls absorption efficiency by modulating ferroportin, the protein that releases iron from gut cells into the bloodstream.
45 mg — tablet
Standard adult tablet (Feosol Natural Release, Feosol Caplet). Most common adult dosage form.
15 mg — chewable tablet
Chewable tablet (Iron Chews). For patients who have difficulty swallowing standard tablets.
15 mg/1.25 mL — oral suspension
Liquid suspension (Wee Care). For infants and young children. Shake well before measuring dose.
125 mg (iron) / 65 mg (vitamin C) — tablet
Combination tablet (Icar-C, Vitron-C). Vitamin C enhances iron absorption.
250 mg (iron) / 100 mg (vitamin C) — tablet
High-dose combination tablet with ascorbic acid for enhanced absorption.
Iron Carbonyl is not on any active FDA or ASHP drug shortage list in 2026. Supply from global manufacturers is stable, and the U.S. market entered 2026 with adequate inventory. However, localized stock-outs at individual pharmacies are not uncommon. Because ferrous sulfate dominates the iron supplement market, pharmacies stock carbonyl iron in smaller quantities and order it less frequently. Patients sometimes struggle to find their preferred brand (Feosol Natural Release, Icar, Ferra-Cap) even when the product is broadly available nationally.
Iron Carbonyl receives a findability score of 75/100 — reflecting that it is generally available but may require searching more than one pharmacy or retailer. Patients are most likely to find it at Walmart, Target, and larger chain pharmacies, as well as online retailers like Amazon. Independent and compounding pharmacies can often order it quickly on request.
If you're having trouble locating Iron Carbonyl, medfinder can call pharmacies near you to identify which ones have it in stock. You provide your medication, dosage, and location — medfinder does the calling and texts you the results.
Iron Carbonyl is not a controlled substance, so it can be prescribed — or simply recommended OTC — by any licensed healthcare provider in the U.S. No DEA registration or special authority is required. Patients can also purchase it directly without a prescription.
Telehealth providers can prescribe Iron Carbonyl for patients in all 50 states without restriction. Because it is not a controlled substance, no in-person visit is required. Services including Teladoc, MDLive, Amazon Clinic, and Sesame Care can evaluate patients, order lab work, and prescribe Iron Carbonyl remotely.
No. Iron Carbonyl (carbonyl iron) is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. It is classified as a dietary supplement and iron replacement product. It is available over the counter (OTC) without a prescription in all 50 states. There are no restrictions on prescribing it via telehealth, and no special DEA registration is required to prescribe it.
Because Iron Carbonyl is OTC, patients can purchase it directly at pharmacies, grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers without a prescription. Providers may still write a prescription to enable insurance coverage, HSA/FSA reimbursement, or to document the treatment in the patient's medical record. No prior authorization, quantity limits, or step therapy requirements apply to OTC purchases.
Iron Carbonyl is generally well tolerated, but GI side effects are common with all oral iron supplements:
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Ferrous Sulfate
Most common, cheapest iron supplement. 65 mg elemental iron per 325 mg tablet. Higher GI side effects and greater overdose risk than carbonyl iron. Covered by most insurance plans when prescribed.
Ferrous Gluconate
28–36 mg elemental iron per 325 mg tablet. Generally better GI tolerability than ferrous sulfate due to lower elemental iron per dose. Available OTC and by prescription.
Ferrous Fumarate
About 33% elemental iron content. Commonly included in prenatal vitamins. Similar efficacy to ferrous sulfate.
Ferric Maltol (Accrufer)
FDA-approved prescription iron (2019). Effective in IBD and CKD patients. Requires prior authorization; significantly more expensive than OTC options.
Iron Polysaccharide Complex (Niferex, NovaFerrum)
Marketed as gentler OTC iron. Limited evidence of superior tolerability vs ferrous salts. Available in liquid form for pediatrics.
Prefer Iron Carbonyl? We can find it.
Tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline)
majorIron and tetracyclines form chelation complexes, reducing absorption of both. Separate by at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after.
Fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
majorIron reduces fluoroquinolone absorption by up to 30–50%. Separate by at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after.
Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)
majorIron significantly reduces baloxavir plasma levels, potentially rendering this flu medication ineffective. Avoid concurrent use.
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
moderateIron reduces levothyroxine absorption, worsening hypothyroid control. Separate by at least 4 hours.
Levodopa (Sinemet)
moderateIron reduces levodopa absorption; may worsen Parkinson's symptom control. Separate by at least 2 hours.
Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, pantoprazole)
moderatePPIs reduce stomach acid needed to convert elemental iron to absorbable ferrous iron. Take Iron Carbonyl before PPI dose.
Antacids (calcium carbonate, Tums, Maalox)
moderateAntacids reduce stomach acid and bind iron, blocking absorption. Separate by at least 2 hours.
Deferiprone (Ferriprox)
moderateIron supplements counteract deferiprone's iron-chelation purpose. Separate by at least 4 hours; discuss with prescriber.
Iron Carbonyl (carbonyl iron) is a safe, effective, and affordable treatment for iron deficiency anemia. Its slow-absorption mechanism makes it the safest oral iron supplement for households with young children, and its generally good tolerability profile helps patients stay on therapy long enough to fully replenish their iron stores. With a treatment duration of 3–8 months and a cost as low as $3–$8 for a 90-day supply (generic, with a discount card), it represents excellent value for most patients.
Key points to remember: Iron Carbonyl is not a controlled substance and requires no prescription. Always confirm iron deficiency with a blood test before starting supplementation. Take it on an empty stomach with vitamin C for best absorption, and separate it from antibiotics, levothyroxine, and antacids. Do not take for more than 6 months without medical guidance.
If you're having difficulty locating Iron Carbonyl at your local pharmacy, medfinder can help. Enter your medication and location, and medfinder calls nearby pharmacies to find which ones have it in stock — then texts you the results so you can skip the searching and get back to feeling better.
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