Oral preparations for IDA treatment

Oral Preparations for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Australia
Name (Manufacturer)	Tablet	Formulation	Elemental iron content	Other active ingredients	RELATIVE COST (2010 MIMS/PBS)*
FERRO-GRADUMET (Abbott)		325 mg Ferrous sulphate Controlled-release tablets	105 mg	Nil	$6.56 (30 tablets)
FERROGRAD C (Abbott)		325 mg Ferrous sulphate Controlled-release tablets	105 mg	Vitamin C (562 mg)	$8.16 (30 tablets)
FGP (Abbott)		250 mg Ferrous sulphate Controlled-release tablets	80 mg	Folic acid (300 mcg)	$3.92 (30 tablets)
FEFOL Iron and Folate Supplement (Pharm-a-care)		270 mg Ferrous sulphate Controlled-release capsules	87 mg	Folic acid (300 mcg)	$9.95 (30 tablets)
Ferro-f-tab (AFT pharmaceuticals)		310 mg Ferrous fumarate Non-controlled − release tablets	100 mg	Folic acid (350 mcg)	$12.79 (60 tablets) PBS listed
FERRO-LIQUID (AFT pharmaceuticals)		250 mL bottle Ferrous sulphate Oral liquid	30 mg / 5 mL	Nil	$19.35 (250 mL bottle) PBS listed
Notes: The usual ADULT dose for IDA is around 100–200 mg elemental iron daily in divided doses (1–2 tablets per day of the above preparations, taken 1 hr before or 2 hrs after food). GI upset may be reduced by taking the tablet with food or at night & increasing the dose gradually. When a rapid increase in Hb is not required, intermittent dosing (1 tablet 2–3 times per week) or lower daily doses of iron (eg, 30mg of elemental iron given as syrup, increasing to bd or tds as tolerated) may reduce GI upset. Multivitamin-mineral supplements should not be used to treat IDA as iron content is low & absorption may be reduced. *Intended to indicate relative cost not price to the consumer (actual cost of OTC medicines may vary).