Iron deficiency anemia

Microcytic hypochromic anemia caused by depletion of body iron stores. The most common cause of anemia, particularly in women of reproductive age and children.

ICD-10 D501 drug

Also known as: IDA, Iron-deficient anemia

Drugs used for this condition

AIron oral (salts: sulfate, bisglycinate, fumarate, gluconate, polymaltose; heme iron polypeptide, lactoferrin)First line · Oral iron preparations; antianaemic agentsOral iron is first-line for iron-deficiency anaemia. AEMPS and FDA approve all main salts. NICE NG8 2024 and British Society for Haematology 2021 recommend 40–100 mg of elemental iron on alternate days: alternate-day dosing yields the same haemoglobin rise as daily and is better tolerated. Haemoglobin and ferritin are checked at 4–8 weeks. If levels do not rise over 2–3 months a search for the cause (ongoing blood loss, malabsorption) and switch to IV iron are warranted. Of iHerb forms, sulfate is cheaper and most studied; bisglycinate claims better tolerability at comparable bioavailability.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit