A patient is diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia. The physician prescribes ferrous sulfate. Which of the following may be a contraindication for ferrous sulfate therapy?
Explanation
• Ferrous sulfate causes significant GI effects and can worsen pre-existing conditions such as ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer disease, and enteritis. Other contraindications include hemochromatosis, infectious kidney disease, and hypersensitivity to iron.
• Generally, iron is considered safe during pregnancy.
• Iron should be used with caution in the elderly, but this is not an absolute contraindication.
• Cirrhosis is not a contraindication.