Publication

Abstract : The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety profile of oral iron formulations in iron deficiency anemia. A prospectivestudy in patients with anemia receiving oral ferric ammonium citrate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulfate and ferrous calcium citraterespectively were included. Demographic details, clinical history, baseline hemoglobin, anemia indices data were recorded in a caserecord form. The patients were followed up once in 3 weeks for 3 months and observed for hematological improvement andadverse drug reactions (ADRs). The data was analyzed using paired t-test, ANOVA and Pearson Chi square test. Out of 66 patients, 11patients received ferric ammonium citrate, 23 received ferrous fumarate, 20 received ferrous sulfate and 12 received ferrouscalcium citrate. Ferric ammonium citrate, ferrous fumarate ferrous sulfate and ferrous calcium citrate have significantly (P0.0001)improved mean hemoglobin and anemia indices at the end of study, however, there was no significant differences between thegroups when compared. All four formulations showed similar ADR profile, there was no significant difference in adverse reactions.Cost of therapy incurred to patients treated with ferrous fumarate was low when compared to other drugs.