Patient information- Iron deficiency anaemia [Part 4 ]

What is the treatment for iron deficiency anaemia?

Iron tablets are usually prescribed to correct the anaemia. Other treatments may also be advised, depending on the underlying cause.

Iron tablets
Various iron tablets and liquid medicines are available. We will advise on one. The length of course will vary depending on how bad the anaemia is. A blood test after a few weeks will show if the treatment is working. Drinking tea with your meal will reduce the amount of iron absorbed, so it is best to avoid it. Instead, have a Vitamin C-rich drink such as fruit juice. Also, if you are taking iron supplements it is important not to drink milk, or eat a milk-based product (eg Mithai) for one hour before or after taking the tablets. This is because milk can interfere with the action of the the tablet.

Side-effects from taking iron occur in some people. These include: feeling sick (nausea), an upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhoea. Tell us if side-effects are a problem. Don't stop the iron, as the anaemia will not get better. Possible ways to reduce the problem with side-effects are:

• Take the iron tablets with meals. Food reduces the absorption of the iron and so you may need to take a longer course to correct the anaemia.
• Take a lower dose, but again a longer course will be needed to correct the anaemia.

Iron tablets may make your stools (faeces) black. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

REMEMBER to keep iron tablets away from children. An overdose of iron tablets can be very dangerous in children (who may think that they are sweets).

Some patients cannot tolerate the iron tablets very well or in some the iron is not absorbed. In such cases we can give the iron in the form of injections (over a period of few weeks) or as a single injection. It has to be given after a test dose as some people may have reactions to the injection.

If you are taking Homeopathic and Ayurvedic medications, please let us know.

 

Dr. Pritesh Junagade

Haematologist &Oncologist