From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
The management approach for a girl with beta thalassemia trait and severe anemia (hemoglobin of 7) should prioritize identifying and treating the underlying cause of the severe anemia, as beta thalassemia trait alone typically does not cause such severe anemia. The initial steps in management include:
- A complete blood count to assess the severity of anemia
- Iron studies to evaluate for iron deficiency, as it can exacerbate anemia in patients with beta thalassemia trait 1
- Hemoglobin electrophoresis to confirm the diagnosis of beta thalassemia trait
- Evaluation for blood loss, hemolysis, or nutritional deficiencies that could be contributing to the severe anemia If iron deficiency is identified, oral iron supplementation (such as ferrous sulfate 3-6 mg/kg/day of elemental iron divided into 1-3 daily doses) should be prescribed for 3-6 months, with follow-up hemoglobin monitoring. For severe anemia (hemoglobin <7 g/dL) with symptoms like tachycardia or shortness of breath, blood transfusion may be necessary. Folic acid supplementation (1 mg daily) is often beneficial as thalassemia trait can increase folate requirements 2. Vitamin B12 deficiency should also be ruled out and treated if present. The severe anemia is concerning because beta thalassemia trait typically causes only mild microcytic anemia with hemoglobin levels rarely below 10 g/dL, suggesting either a misdiagnosis or the presence of a second condition exacerbating the anemia, which must be identified for proper management 3.