Anaemia Drugs

Question 1

Why is folic acid important?

Answer 1

Required for DNA synthesis

Question 2

Indications for folic acid use

Answer 2

Folate-deficiency anaemia
Prevention of fetal neural tube defects

Question 3

Folic acid precautions

Answer 3

Do not use in unspecified anaemia
Safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Question 4

Indications for Iron use

Answer 4

Prevention and treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Fixed-dose combination with folic acid (iron and folate deficiency)

Question 5

Contraindications for iron use

Answer 5

Non-iron deficient anaemia

Allergy to parenteral iron products

Question 6

Iron use precautions

Answer 6

Avoid parenteral iron products in first trimester due to hypersensitivity reaction

Question 7

Oral iron side effects

Answer 7

Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, black stool/faeces

Question 8

Parenteral iron side effects

Answer 8

Taste disturbances, nausea, vomiting, headache, tachycardia, myalgia, bronchospasm, hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis/ anaphylactoid reaction)

Question 9

An oral iron and parenteral iron be used together?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

Vitamin B12 indications

Answer 10

Prevention and treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency

Question 11

Vitamin B12 Precautions

Answer 11

Confirm anaemia cause before commencing treatment (B12 deficiency anaemia can present like folate deficiency anaemia)

Do not use oral formulations if malabsorption is present

Question 12

Vitamin B12 Adverse effects

Answer 12

Common = rash, nausea, headache, inc BP, dark red tint to veins

Rare (more common with parenteral route) = allergy (anaphylaxis, itching), hypokalaemia