Iron Strip vs Iron Pill: How the Two Formats Compare
WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
The short answer: your body controls how much iron it keeps, and that is the same whether the iron came from a pill or a strip. It should be: iron is one of the few nutrients the body has no easy way to get rid of. What a strip changes is the part before that. There is nothing to swallow. It dissolves on your tongue in about 30 seconds, with no water.
Be wary of big format claims on iron
Some iron products are sold on the idea that a different format gets around the way your body handles iron. We don't make that claim, and on an iron product it should make you more careful, not less.
What an iron pill is
Iron tablets and capsules come in several forms, with ferrous sulfate the most common. You swallow one with water.
What pills do well: a very wide range of amounts, a low price, and they are the format your doctor will usually reach for if you need a specific amount.
The catch: you have to swallow one every day, often for months. Iron in any form can also upset some people's stomachs; raise that with your doctor or pharmacist rather than assuming a different format will change it.
What an iron strip is
A thin film that dissolves on your tongue in about 30 seconds. Nothing to swallow, no water, no tablet stuck in your throat.
Each XYNE Iron strip contains:
- Iron (as ferric saccharate): 19 mg
- Folate: 400 mcg DFE (240 mcg folic acid)
Both amounts are on the label. No proprietary blend. No sugar, sweetened with stevia and monk fruit. Raspberry flavor. Vegetarian and free of the FDA's top nine allergens. 30 strips in a flat tin.
At a glance
| Factor | Iron pill | XYNE Iron strip |
|---|---|---|
| What you do | Swallow whole with water | Dissolves on your tongue in about 30 seconds |
| Iron form | Often ferrous sulfate; others available | Ferric saccharate |
| Iron per serving | Varies widely; check the label | 19 mg |
| Also included | Varies | Folate 400 mcg DFE |
| Sugar | Check the panel | None |
| Taste | None; it is swallowed | Raspberry |
| Best for | Anyone following a doctor's instructions, and anyone fine with pills | People who can't or won't swallow pills |
Who might prefer a strip
- People who find pills hard to swallow, or gag on them
- People who want no sugar in a daily supplement
- People who keep skipping a daily tablet because taking it is a hassle
Who should stay with what their doctor gave them
- Anyone taking iron for a diagnosed condition
- Anyone whose doctor set a specific daily amount
- Anyone who is pregnant or trying to conceive; that is a conversation for your OB or midwife
- Anyone with a condition that affects how their body stores iron, such as hemochromatosis
Questions
Will a strip be easier on my stomach than an iron pill?
We can't promise that. If iron has bothered your stomach before, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
How much iron is in a strip?
19 mg as ferric saccharate, plus folate 400 mcg DFE. Both are on the label.
Can I swap my prescribed iron for this?
Not without asking your doctor. Prescribed iron is set at a particular amount for a reason.
How many a day?
Follow the directions on the tin. Don't take more than directed, and store the tin out of reach of children.
Can I take it while pregnant?
This is not designed as a prenatal supplement. Check with your OB or midwife.
Price, shipping and returns
- A tin of 30 strips is $30.00, about $1 a day.
- Subscribe & Save: your first order is $20.00, then $27.00/month. Skip or cancel anytime from your account.
- Free US shipping on every order.
- Unopened tins can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.