Iron tablets

Question 1

What contraindications must be excluded before prescribing iron tablets?

Answer 1

None

Question 2

How would you explain the MOA of iron tablets to a patient?

Answer 2

Replace your body’s store of iron, a mineral required to make RBCs

Question 3

How should iron tablets be taken?

Answer 3

• 1-3 times daily
• Works best if taken without food, but most people take with meals as iron can irritate the stomach
• Takes 3-4 weeks for Hb to normalise, then further 3 months to replenish iron stores

Question 4

What monitoring is required once iron is prescribed?

Answer 4

Haemoglobin in 3-4 weeks to assess response

Question 5

What are the important side effects of iron supplementation that patients should be made aware of?

Answer 5

• GI irritation (nausea, sickness, diarrhoea/constipation, abdominal pain)
• Black/green stools
• Metallic taste (more for syrup)