Iron tablets counselling

Question 1

How the treatment works

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Treatment course and how it’s taken

Answer 2

• 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 3

Monitoring required

Answer 3

Haemoglobin in 3-4 weeks to assess response

Question 4

Side effects

Answer 4

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