Iron tablets

Question 1

Contraindications

Answer 1

None

Question 2

How the treatment works

Answer 2

– Replace your body’s store of iron, a mineral required to make red blood cells

Question 3

Treatment course and how it’s taken

Answer 3

– 1-3 times daily tablet or syrup (depending on brand)
– Works best if taken without food, but most 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

Monitoring

Answer 4

Monitoring required
– Haemoglobin in 3-4 weeks to assess response

Question 5

Side effects

Answer 5

– GI irritation (nausea, sickness, diarrhoea/constipation, abdominal pain)
– Black/green stools
– Metallic taste