Drugs for Deficiency Anemia Flashcards
Anemia
Decrease in number, size, or hemoglobin content of erythrocytes (RBCs).
Most deficiency anemias result from:
Low iron-most common
Low Vitamin B12
Low Folic acid
Erythropoietin
stimulant of RBC production
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Very little iron leaves the body via feces; most iron leaves the body via blood loss (menstrual flow and blood donation, or trauma)
when RBC low iron needs low vice versa
Iron Deficiency Anemia
symptoms
Low Hemoglobin and Hematocrit (H&H)
Microcytic (small) and hypochromic (pale) RBCs Fatigue and Pallor Dyspnea Tachycardia Angina
Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatments-ORAL
and prevent anemia in pregnancy;
Ferrous sulfate
Carbonyl iron
Ferrous sulfate
absorb 3x more readily cost effective ON EMPTY stomach oral stains teeth, disrupts GI (green or black stools)
Carbonyl iron
Pure elemental iron = good bioavailability
oral
reduced risk of toxicity in children
Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatments-IV, IM
Iron dextran
only if oral dont work; after trauma;
could cause anaphylaxis, hypotension, skin staining
z track method; continue till hemoglobin about 15gm/dL
Consequences of B-12 deficiency:
Anemia (reverses with b12 admin)
Injury to the nervous system
tingling, numbness, reduction of the deep tendon, memory loss hallucinations psychosis
B-12 deficiency can cause:
GI disturbances
Impaired WBC production
Impaired platelet production
B-12 deficiency is caused by impaired absorption:
Celiac disease
Regional enteritis
Antibodies against B-12
Reduced stomach acid
Severe anemia produces peripheral and cerebral hypoxia
Can cause heart failure
Can cause dysrhythmias
Can cause death
B-12 Deficiency: Treatment
Cyanocobalamin
Cyanocobalamin
Drug of choice for B-12 deficiency
Routes: Oral, sublingual, intranasal, IM, or subQ
hypokalemia or injection site redness; lifelong therapy