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Anaemia

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Therapy

Give iron supplements b e.g. oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg three times a day. d Side-effects are common. 

Why?

  • Iron supplementation increases haemoglobin levels (on average 70 g/l within 70 days) and improves exercise capacity. b
  • Watch for constipation. b

Constipation is common in patients on oral iron supplements

Patient Treatment Comparison Outcome CER RRR
(95% CI)		 NNT
(95% CI)
iron-deficiency anaemia b ferrous succinate placebo constipation
  		14% -150%
(-470% to -4%) 		-5
(-39 to -3)

Expiry date: September 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Authors   R   Dinniwell , CM   Ball
Reviewer   D   Chitnavas
CAT Writers   R   Dinniwell , CM   Bal, C Wottonl