Comprehensive medication guide to Proferrin including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
Proferrin is an OTC dietary supplement and is typically not covered by commercial insurance plans or Medicare Part D. Patients usually pay out of pocket. FSA and HSA accounts may be eligible for reimbursement when prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$25–$35 retail for a 30-count of Proferrin ES; as low as $19–$21 with SingleCare or GoodRx coupon at participating pharmacies when a prescription is written. The 90-count bottle offers a lower per-tablet cost at approximately $50–$70.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Proferrin is a brand name for heme iron polypeptide (HIP), an over-the-counter iron supplement derived from bovine (cow) hemoglobin. It is manufactured by Colorado Biolabs in Nebraska and is the only U.S.-based heme iron polypeptide supplement backed by clinical trial data.
Proferrin comes in three formulations: Proferrin ES (10.5 mg heme iron polypeptide per tablet), Proferrin Forte (12 mg + 1 mg folic acid per capsule), and Proferrin Clear (10.5 mg in an NSF-certified, dye-free gelatin capsule). It is used to treat iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy-related iron deficiency, and anemia associated with chronic diseases.
Unlike standard iron supplements (ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate), Proferrin's iron is absorbed through the heme transporter pathway rather than competing with other minerals in the gut — resulting in significantly fewer GI side effects and unaffected absorption in the presence of food, coffee, calcium, or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
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Proferrin delivers iron as heme iron polypeptide — the same molecular form found in meat and poultry. The iron is encased in a porphyrin ring (the heme structure) and absorbed intact through the intestinal wall via a dedicated receptor called the heme carrier protein 1 (HCP1) transporter.
This pathway is fundamentally different from the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) channel used by ionic iron salts like ferrous sulfate. Because heme iron uses its own dedicated transporter, it does not compete with calcium, zinc, or other minerals for absorption — and food, coffee, tannins, phytates, and PPIs have minimal effect on its bioavailability.
Once absorbed into intestinal cells, the enzyme heme oxygenase breaks down the heme structure and releases elemental iron for use by the bone marrow to produce hemoglobin. Research has shown heme iron increases serum iron levels approximately 23 times more than an equivalent dose of ferrous fumarate on a milligram-per-milligram basis — which is why Proferrin's 10.5–12 mg elemental iron dose is clinically effective despite appearing much smaller than the 65 mg in a standard ferrous sulfate tablet.
10.5 mg — tablet
Proferrin ES — standard tablet with easy-swallow green coating. Take 1–3 daily.
12 mg + 1 mg folic acid — capsule
Proferrin Forte — capsule with heme iron and folic acid. For patients needing both iron and folate supplementation.
10.5 mg — capsule
Proferrin Clear — NSF-certified, dye-free gelatin capsule for patients who prefer no artificial colorings.
Proferrin is not under an official FDA drug shortage in 2026. However, because it is an OTC dietary supplement manufactured by a single U.S. company (Colorado Biolabs), its availability at brick-and-mortar pharmacy chains is inconsistent. Many CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid locations do not stock Proferrin at all, and those that do may only carry one of its three variants.
The most reliable in-store availability is at Walmart and Target, while online channels (Amazon and Proferrin.com) offer the most consistent supply. Proferrin ES is the most widely available variant in retail stores; Proferrin Clear is primarily an online product.
If you're struggling to locate Proferrin at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call pharmacies in your area to find which ones currently have it in stock, then text you the results — saving you the time of calling each location yourself.
Proferrin is an OTC dietary supplement — no prescription is required to purchase it. However, any licensed healthcare provider can write a prescription for it to enable access to discount programs like GoodRx and SingleCare at participating pharmacies. There are no DEA scheduling restrictions.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) and internal medicine doctors
OB/GYNs and midwives (for pregnancy-related iron deficiency)
Gastroenterologists (for IBD, celiac, malabsorption)
Nephrologists (for CKD-associated anemia)
Hematologists (for complex iron deficiency anemia)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs)
Registered dietitians (RDs) (for nutritional assessment and recommendation)
Telehealth providers are also able to assess iron deficiency, order labs, and write prescriptions for Proferrin. Platforms such as Teladoc, MDLive, and PlushCare offer same-day or next-day appointments for supplement consultations.
No. Proferrin is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It is classified as an over-the-counter (OTC) dietary supplement under FDA regulations. No prescription is required to purchase it at retail stores or online.
While a prescription is not required, having a healthcare provider write one can be beneficial — it enables patients to use GoodRx, SingleCare, and other prescription discount programs at participating pharmacies, reducing the out-of-pocket cost. There are no restrictions on how many bottles a patient can purchase, and no refill limitations apply.
Proferrin causes significantly fewer GI side effects than standard ferrous sulfate. Common side effects include:
Dark or black stools (normal with any iron supplement)
Constipation (occurs in approximately 8% of patients vs. 30–40% with ferrous sulfate)
Mild nausea (uncommon; taking with a small amount of food may help)
Mild stomach discomfort (less common than with ionic iron formulations)
Iron overload (extreme fatigue, joint pain, abdominal pain, skin discoloration) — stop supplement and contact doctor immediately
Severe allergic reaction (hives, breathing difficulty, facial swelling) — Proferrin is bovine-derived; patients with meat allergies should avoid it
Signs of GI bleeding (tarry foul-smelling black stools, bloody vomit) — different from iron-darkened stools; seek emergency care
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Ferrous bisglycinate (iron chelate)
Best-tolerated non-heme iron supplement; 25–36 mg elemental iron; 70–80% fewer GI side effects than ferrous sulfate; vegan-friendly; $15–$25/month OTC.
Ferrous gluconate
Lower elemental iron (36 mg/tablet) than ferrous sulfate; gentler on stomach; widely available OTC; very affordable at $5–$12/month.
Iron polysaccharide complex (Niferex)
Slow-release ferric iron formulation; good for chronic supplementation; better tolerated than ferrous sulfate; may require prescription.
Ferrous sulfate
Clinical first-line for iron deficiency anemia; 65 mg elemental iron; very affordable; GI side effects in 40–50% of patients.
IV iron (Feraheme, Injectafer)
For severe IDA, malabsorption, or oral iron failure; administered by infusion; bypasses GI tract; covered by insurance when medically necessary.
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Tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline)
moderateIron chelates tetracyclines in the gut, reducing antibiotic absorption. Space by at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after iron.
Quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin)
moderateIron reduces quinolone absorption. Space by at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after iron.
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
moderateIron can bind to thyroid medication and reduce absorption. Take levothyroxine at least 4 hours apart from any iron supplement.
Levodopa (Carbidopa-Levodopa, Sinemet)
moderateIron may reduce levodopa absorption. Patients with Parkinson's disease should discuss timing with their neurologist.
Bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate)
moderateIron reduces bisphosphonate absorption. Take at completely different times of day.
Cefdinir (Omnicef)
moderateForms a complex with iron reducing absorption of both. Space doses by at least 2 hours.
Penicillamine
moderateIron reduces penicillamine absorption. Separate doses by at least 2 hours.
Antacids (calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
minorMay slightly reduce heme iron absorption at high doses. Much less of a concern than with non-heme iron supplements.
Proferrin (heme iron polypeptide) fills an important niche in iron supplementation: it offers superior GI tolerability over standard ionic iron supplements through its unique heme absorption pathway. For patients on PPIs, those with Crohn's disease or IBD, pregnant women struggling with standard prenatal iron, or dialysis patients needing oral iron adjunct therapy — Proferrin is a clinically rational choice.
Its main limitations are cost (not covered by most insurance), limited retail availability (mostly online and select stores), and it being animal-derived (not suitable for vegans or patients with meat allergies). For patients who need it but face cost barriers, writing a prescription to access GoodRx or SingleCare discounts, or directing patients to the 90-count Amazon option, can make it more accessible.
Finding Proferrin at a local pharmacy can be frustrating due to its specialty supplement status. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to locate Proferrin in stock and texts you the results — eliminating the need to call multiple locations yourself.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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