iron

Question 1

Class

Answer 1

?

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

Prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anaemia (during pregnancy, people on haemodialysis receiving epoetin)

Question 3

Dose Range

Answer 3

Treatment, 100–200 mg daily

Pregnancy, oral, 60–120 mg daily

Question 4

Counselling/SE

Answer 4

• This medicine is absorbed best if taken on an empty stomach 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food. If it upsets your stomach, it can be taken with or shortly after food.
• Avoid taking oral iron supplements with tea or coffee.
• Dilute oral liquid with water and drink through a straw to prevent discolouration of teeth.
• Accidental overdose (of even a small amount of an iron-containing product) can be very serious, even fatal, in children. Store out of reach and sight of children and keep bottles tightly closed.

SE:

• abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea (all dose-related),
• black discolouration of faeces

Question 5

Monitoring

Answer 5

• iron levels