7 Agents Used in Anemias

Question 1

4 deficiencies causing anemia

Answer 1

• iron
• folic acid
• vitamin B12
• erythropoietin

Question 2

• why does iron deficiency cause anemia?
• tx
• toxicity

Answer 2

• iron stores depleted (blood loss) or insufficient intake during growth
• oral ferrous sulfate
• tox - GI disturbance

Question 3

• why does folic acid deficiency cause anemia?
• tx
• toxicity

Answer 3

• megaloblastic anemia: inability or erythropoeitic precursors to synthesize DNA and proliferate
• deficiency from diet, poor absorption drug therapy
• oral folic acid
• tox - none

Question 4

• why does vitamin B12 deficiency cause anemia?
• tx
• toxicity

Answer 4

• it’s used in DNA synthesis/regulation, FA synth, energy production, regeneration of folic acid
• due to low dietary levels, gastric parietal cells don’t produce intrinsic factor to absorb B12
• oral B12, IM/SC for pernicious anemia
• tox - none

Question 5

• why does erythropoietin deficiency cause anemia?
• tx
• toxicity

Answer 5

• in a deficiency, RBC proliferation and differentiation can’t be regulated
• recombinant human erythropoietin for end-stage renal disease, AIDS, cancer
• side effects: iron deficiency or increase in BP