Table 3.

Comparisons between oral iron replacement vs. parenteral replacement regarding indications, advantages and disadvantages. (adapted from Cappellini et al²⁹ and Camaschella et al.²⁶)

	IRON REPLACEMENT MODALITY
	ORAL	PARENTERAL
CURRENT INDICATIONS	Preferred replacement mode Current standard of care	Failure of oral replacement Intolerance to oral replacement
EMERGING INDICATIONS		Presence of inflammation (reduced absorption). functional iron deficiency Need for quick response (pre-operative patients)
ADVANTAGES	Ease of use Low cost	Rapid response to treatment Effective when inflammation present Eliminates need for patient compliance
DISADVANTAGES	Limited absorption Slow efficacy Unpredictable in inflammatory conditions Gastrointestinal side effects common Poor patient adherence to treatment	Requires specialty care Must be administered in a medical facility Hypersensitivity reactions Cost
NEWER TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES	Sucrasomial Iron (different absorption mechanism, possibly reduced side effects)	Improved safety with the newer formulations