What is the name of an iron supplement containing 20mg of elemental iron?

Iron Supplements Containing 20mg of Elemental Iron

Ferrous fumarate tablets containing 20mg of elemental iron are available as a low-dose iron supplement option for iron deficiency anemia treatment.

Available Iron Supplements with 20mg Elemental Iron

• Low-dose iron supplements containing approximately 20mg of elemental iron include:
  • Ferrous fumarate formulations (approximately 60-65mg of ferrous fumarate provides 20mg elemental iron) 1
  • Ferrous bisglycinate preparations (some formulations contain 25mg elemental iron, close to the 20mg target) 2
  • Some liquid iron formulations that can be dosed to provide 20mg elemental iron 1

Benefits of Low-Dose Iron Supplementation

• Low-dose iron supplementation (20-30mg elemental iron) can be effective while causing fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to traditional higher doses 2, 3
• Recent evidence suggests that lower doses may be as effective as higher doses due to hepcidin regulation of iron absorption 1, 3
• For pregnant women, low-dose iron supplementation (20mg) has been shown to have minimal gastrointestinal side effects while still being effective for prophylaxis 2

Dosing Considerations

• Once-daily dosing is preferred over multiple daily doses, as oral doses of 60mg elemental iron stimulate hepcidin levels, reducing subsequent iron absorption by 35-45% 1, 4
• For patients experiencing gastrointestinal side effects with traditional iron preparations, alternate-day dosing may improve absorption and tolerability 4, 3
• Morning administration is preferred over afternoon or evening dosing due to circadian variations in hepcidin levels 3

Comparing Iron Formulations

• Traditional ferrous salts (ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate) differ in elemental iron content:
  • Ferrous sulfate: 65mg elemental iron per 200mg tablet 1
  • Ferrous fumarate: 65-69mg elemental iron per 200-210mg tablet 1
  • Ferrous gluconate: 27-38mg elemental iron per tablet 1
• Newer formulations like ferric maltol and ferrous bisglycinate may offer better tolerability at lower doses 1, 2

Monitoring Recommendations

• Regular monitoring of hemoglobin is recommended approximately every 4 weeks until normalization 4
• After hemoglobin normalization, oral iron should be continued for 2-3 months to replenish iron stores 1, 4
• A hemoglobin rise of at least 10 g/L after 2 weeks of daily oral iron therapy predicts successful treatment response 4

Common Pitfalls and Caveats

• Tea and coffee inhibit iron absorption and should not be consumed within an hour of taking iron supplements 1
• Higher doses don't necessarily mean better absorption due to hepcidin regulation 3
• Gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, constipation, diarrhea) are dose-dependent and may lead to poor compliance 1, 5
• Consider alternate-day dosing or lower doses if side effects occur 4, 3

Low-dose iron supplements containing 20mg of elemental iron can be an effective option for many patients with iron deficiency, particularly those who experience side effects with traditional higher doses.