Letters to the Editor
Oral supplements and iron deficiency
- Vera Pennisi, Jonathan Baird-Gunning, Jonathan Bromley
- Aust Prescr 2017;40:50
- 3 April 2017
- DOI: 10.18773/austprescr.2017.024
ISSUE 2 APRIL
Letter to the Editor
I wonder if the authors of the article on iron deficiency could clarify when oral iron supplements should be taken.1 The article advises taking them without food, but the iron supplement packs (and AusDi) advise taking them with food.
Vera Pennisi
Dentist
Brisbane
Authors' response
Jonathan Baird-Gunning and Jonathan Bromley, the authors of the article, comment:
Iron supplements can be taken with or without food, however their absorption can be reduced when taken with food as outlined in our article. Gastrointestinal adverse effects from oral iron are common and are often the reason for poor compliance. Taking the iron with or soon after food may reduce these effects and in turn potentially improve compliance.
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Vera Pennisi
Dentist, Brisbane
Jonathan Baird-Gunning
Registrar, Acute and General Medicine, Canberra Hospital
Jonathan Bromley
Consultant physician, Gastroenterologist and General Medicine, Canberra Hospital
Clinical lecturer, Australian National University, Canberra
