Iron supplement and Medical uses

Iron supplements also known as iron salts and iron pills, are a variety of iron preparations used to treat and prevent iron deficiency, including iron deficiency anemia.As a precaution, it is only recommended for those with malabsorption, heavy menstruation, pregnancy, hemodialysis or a diet low in iron.Prophylaxis may also be used in low birth weight infants.They are given orally, intravenously or intramuscularly.While results may be seen within a few days, it may take up to two months for iron levels to return to normal.Common side effects include constipation, abdominal pain, black stools, and diarrhea.Other side effects that may occur with overuse include iron overload and iron toxicity.Ferrous salts used as oral supplements include ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous succinate, and ferrous sulfate.Injectable forms include iron dextran and iron sucrose.They work by providing the iron needed to make red blood cells.Iron pills have been used medicinally since at least 1681, and an easy-to-use formula was invented in 1832.Ferrous salts are on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines.Ferrous salts are available as generics and over-the-counter.Extended-release formulations, while available, are not recommended.In 2020, ferrous sulfate was the 116th most commonly prescribed drug in the United States with over 5 million prescriptions filled.

Medical uses 

Iron supplements are used to treat iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia;parenteral iron can also be used to treat functional iron deficiency, in which the demand for iron exceeds the body's ability to supply it, such as during inflammation state.The primary criterion is that other causes of anemia have also been investigated, such as vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency, drug-induced, or caused by other toxins such as lead, as anemia often has more than one underlying cause.Iron deficiency anemia is usually microcytic hypochromic anemia.Typically, in the UK, oral formulations are tested before parenteral administration,unless a rapid response is required, previous intolerance to oral iron, or possible nonresponse.Intravenous iron may reduce the need for blood transfusions but increases the risk of infection compared with oral iron.A 2015 Cochrane Collaboration review found that daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy reduced the risk of maternal anemia, and the effect on the infant and other maternal outcomes was unclear.Another review found preliminary evidence that intermittent oral iron supplementation for mothers and infants was similar to daily iron supplementation,but with fewer side effects.Oral supplements should be taken on an empty stomach, optionally with a small amount of food to reduce discomfort.