Iron
Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, the part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen. Low iron is one of the most common deficiencies in Pakistan, particularly in women and children, and it causes tiredness, breathlessness and pale skin.
What You Will Find Here
- Ferrous sulphate, fumarate and gluconate tablets
- Iron with folic acid and vitamin C combinations
- Syrups and drops for children and in pregnancy
- Injectable iron preparations for use under medical supervision
Getting The Most From Iron
- Vitamin C or a citrus fruit improves absorption
- Tea, coffee, milk and calcium tablets reduce it, so space them apart
- Treatment usually continues for months after the blood count normalises, to refill stores
Precautions
Constipation and black stools are expected. Anaemia should be diagnosed with a blood test rather than assumed, because the cause matters as much as the treatment, and in adults it can point to blood loss that needs investigating. Keep iron well out of reach of children, since overdose is a serious emergency.
This page is general information only. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist, and it does not include dosage. Always follow the directions given to you and read the leaflet inside the pack.
