Anemia medications, such as ferrous sulfate, folic acid, vitamin B12 or erythropoietin, can help to replace vitamins and minerals that promote the production of blood cells.

These medications can be used in the form of tablets or injections, as prescribed by a doctor. The medication prescribed will vary depending on the type of anemia and severity of the patient's symptoms.

In addition to treatment with anemia medications, the doctor may also recommend dietary changes. Severe cases of anemia may require treatment with blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants.

Medications that treat anemia

The main anemia medications that your doctor may consider prescribing include:

1. Ferrous sulfate

Ferrous sulfate is a mineral supplement that can be used in the form of drops, tablets or injections, and is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.

The purpose of this supplement is to increase the amount of circulating iron, which is important for the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is essential for the transport of oxygen to all tissues in the body.

When it is prescribed: ferrous sulfate is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia or hypochromic microcytic anemia.

In addition, it can also be taken to prevent anemia when there is a risk of iron deficiency, which can occur in babies, children, pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.

2. Folic acid

Folic acid is a supplement for anemia caused by folate deficiency. Folic acid, or vitamin B9, is essential for the production of red blood cells.

Vitamin B9 deficiency can occur due to poor absorption of this vitamin, a diet low in folic acid, or even the use of medications

When it is prescribed: Folic acid is indicated for the treatment of macrocytic anemia or megaloblastic anemia, used in combination with vitamin B12.

Folic acid may also be indicated for the prevention of anemia, especially in premature newborns, pregnant women, or people with chronic hemolytic anemia.

3. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is indicated mainly in cases of anemia caused by low vitamin B12 levels or conditions associated with malabsorption of vitamin B12. Read more about vitamin B12 deficiency and the symptoms it can cause.

This vitamin is commonly found in the form of cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin, which can be injected.

When it is prescribed: B12 injections are indicated for the treatment of macrocytic anemia or megaloblastic anemia together with folic acid. It can also be prescribed for pernicious anemia.

4. Erythropoietin

Recombinant human erythropoietin is a medication that can also be prescribed for anemia. It used in the form of a subcutaneous or IV injection, and work by stimulating the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Generally, this medicine is used in cases of severe anemia, and can reduce the need for blood transfusion.

When it is prescribed: erythropoietin is indicated for the treatment of normocytic normochromic anemia, anemia due to chemotherapy or symptomatic anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. In the case of chronic kidney disease, erythropoietin can be taken together with iron supplements, as iron malabsorption can occur.

Other medications with similar effects to erythropoietin are alfadarbepoetin or alfapoietin.

5. Hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea is an antimetabolite that stimulates the production of fetal hemoglobin, and is mainly indicated for sickle cell anemia.

This medication is used in tablet form and aims to reduce the frequency and severity of sickle cell anemia flare-ups. It can reduce the need for transfusions, and improve symptoms and overall quality of life.

When it is prescribed: hydroxyurea is mainly indicated for the treatment of sickle cell anemia, but it can also be used in some cases of normochromic normocytic anemia.

6. Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant that can be prescribed for the treatment of aplastic anemia for people with autoimmune diseases or who cannot undergo bone marrow transplants.

This medication can help reduce the need for blood transfusions and, in some cases, help to cure anemia.

When it is prescribed: Cyclosporine is indicated for the treatment of aplastic anemia, which may be present from birth or acquired over time.

7. Prednisone

Prednisone, like prednisolone, is a corticosteroid that can be indicated for the treatment of some types of anemia.

These medications have an immunosuppressive effect, that is, they reduce the action of the immune system by destroying lymphocytes and preventing them from attacking the bone marrow cells that produce red blood cells and other blood cells.

When it is prescribed: Prednisone or prednisolone can be indicated for the treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, erythrocytic anemia, erythroid anemia or Diamond-Blackfan anemia.

8. Anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin

Anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin is an immunosuppressive medication for anemias that are caused by decreased red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

This medication is used in a hospital setting and administered through an IV infusion.

When it is prescribed: Anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin is indicated for the treatment of aplastic anemia.

9. Oxymetholone

Oxymetholone, like danazol or oxandrolone, are androgenic medications for anemia.This medication is particularly prescribed for the treatment of Fanconi anemia.

Androgen therapy can stimulate the growth of hematopoietic stem cells, but does not cure the disease.

When it is prescribed: Oxymetholone, danazol or oxandrolone are indicated for the treatment of Fanconi anemia when the person has a contraindication for bone marrow transplantation.

10. Pyridoxine

Pyridoxine, or vitamin B6, may be indicated for the treatment of some types of anemia, as it stimulates the production of red blood cells.

This vitamin can be taken orally and the doses should be indicated by a hematologist on an individual basis.

When it is prescribed: pyridoxine is indicated for the treatment of X-linked sideroblastic anemia, allowing for the total or partial correction of this type of anemia.

11. Deferoxamine

Deferoxamine is indicated for the treatment of anemia, mainly to prevent iron overload, when the person needs chronic or frequent blood transfusions.

Iron overload is the increase in the amount of iron in the body, which can be harmful as excess iron can start to accumulate in organs such as the liver and heart.

Treatment of iron overload also improves the response to pyridoxine.

When it is prescribed: Deferoxamine is indicated for sideroblastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia or Diamond Blackfan anemia.

Other medications with similar action to deferoxamine are deferasirox or desferrioxamine.

12. Deferiprone

Deferiprone is another medicine for treating iron overload in people with anemia, preventing iron from accumulating in the tissues, especially the heart and liver.

When it is prescribed: Deferiprone is indicated for the treatment of iron overload in thalassemia, Diamond Blackfan anemia, sickle cell anemia or other types of anemia.

13. Eltrombopag

Eltrombopag olamine is a medicine for aplastic anemia that stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of bone marrow stem cells, helping to increase the amount of hemoglobin, platelets and neutrophils in the blood.

When it is prescribed: eltrombopag olamine is indicated for the treatment of aplastic anemia when treatment with immunosuppressants does not have the desired effect or in cases where the person cannot undergo a bone marrow transplant.