Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein with the ability to bind oxygen and thus ensure its transport to tissues. Normal levels of hemoglobin in the blood are from 120 to 150 grams / liter for women, and from 130 to 160 grams / liter for men. With a decrease in the indicator by 10-20 or more units from the lower limit, anemia develops and drugs are required to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Drugs for increasing hemoglobin levels
Usually anemia is associated with a lack of iron, which either does not enter the body in the right amount, or is not digested in the right amount. Therefore, to increase the level of hemoglobin, divalent ferrous sulfate preparations are usually used. As a rule, the composition of such drugs also includes ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which improves the digestibility of iron. Also, a lowered level of hemoglobin can be associated with a lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid.
Consider the most commonly used drugs.
Sorbifer Durules
One tablet contains 320 mg of ferrous sulfate (equivalent to 100 mg of ferrous iron) and 60 mg of ascorbic acid. The usual dose of the drug is 1 tablet twice a day. In patients with iron deficiency anemia, the dose can be increased to 4 tablets per day. When taking more than one tablet a day, a large number of patients experience side effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Sorbifrex is not recommended for children under 12 years of age, in violation of iron utilization in the body and stenosis of the esophagus. To date, Sorbifrex is considered one of the best drugs to increase hemoglobin.
Ferretab
Capsules of prolonged action, which include 152 mg of iron fumarate and 540 μg of folic acid. The drug is prescribed one capsule per day. It is contraindicated in diseases associated with impaired digestibility of iron or diseases associated with the accumulation of iron in the body, as well as in anemia, not associated with deficiency of iron or folic acid.
Ferrum Lek
Produced in the form of chewable tablets, which include 400 mg of iron trivalent hydroxide polymaltose (equivalent to 100 mg of iron) or solution for injection (100 mg of active substance). Contraindications to the use of the drug in tablets are similar to Ferretab. Injections are not used in the first trimester of pregnancy, liver cirrhosis, infectious diseases of the kidneys and liver.
Totem
Combined drug used to stimulate hematopoiesis. It is available as a solution for oral administration. In one ampoule contains iron - 50 mg, manganese - 1.33 mg, copper - 700 μg. For reception, the ampoule is dissolved in water and taken before meals. The daily intake dose for an adult can vary from 2 to 4 ampoules. Possible side effects include nausea, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation, pain in the stomach, possibly darkening of the enamel of the teeth.
Among other drugs used to increase the level of hemoglobin, it is worth mentioning such tools as:
- Actyferrin;
- Maltofer;
- Feoglobin B-12;
- Ferro-foil;
- Hemofer;
- Folacin.
All mentioned preparations contain iron, but they differ in the content of other active and auxiliary substances. What exactly drugs for increasing hemoglobin need to be used, is determined by the doctor individually, in each case, on the basis of blood tests.
Preparations for increasing hemoglobin in pregnancy
Anemia and a decrease in hemoglobin during pregnancy are common. Therefore, drugs with iron during pregnancy are often prescribed prophylactically, to maintain a normal level of hemoglobin, and not just to increase it. Considered drugs do not have obvious contraindications in pregnancy, although some of them are not recommended for admission in the first trimester. But mainly for the prevention or increase of hemoglobin, pregnant women are prescribed Sorbifer Durules or Ferritab.