Therapy

Consider iron supplements ^b for patients with anaemia e.g. oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg three times a day ^d  

Why?

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

Iron supplementation increases constipation

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)