Abstract
Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most prevalent global health concerns. Conventional daily oral iron supplementation is frequently associated with side effects that reduce treatment compliance. This review aims to analyze novel approaches to iron deficiency anemia treatment, specifically intermittent (alternate-day) iron administration, and its impact on therapy efficacy and tolerability. Based on the analysis of contemporary research, the pivotal role of the hormone hepcidin, which limits iron absorption during daily intake, is examined. Evidence indicates that an intermittent regimen helps to lower peak hepcidin levels, potentially increasing fractional iron absorption. The review demonstrates that while the intermittent regimen may not show statistically significant superiority in the rate of hemoglobin and ferritin increase compared to daily intake, it reliably reduces the frequency and severity of side effects (such as nausea, metallic taste, and gastrointestinal disturbances). Therefore, the intermittent dosing strategy is preferable for enhancing patient compliance while maintaining comparable clinical efficacy. Further research is required to clarify its impact on other iron metabolism markers.
Keywords: iron deficiency anemia, oral iron therapy, hepcidin, intermittent supplementation, compliance, side effects, ferroportin, iron absorption.
For citation:Efremova K.B., Gurianova T.A., Kashcheeva M.A., Popova E.N. Optimizing oral therapy regimens in iron-deficiency anemia: balancing efficacy and safety Clinical review for general practice. 2026; 7 (6): 99–102 (In Russ.). DOI: 10.47407/kr2026.7.6.00870
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