Table 3.

Characteristics of different oral iron formulations.

	Ferrous sulphate	Ferrous fumarate	Ferrous gluconate
Brand name	Feospan®, FeroSul®Ferrograd®	Galfer®	Fergon®, Ferralet®
Preparation, mg	200	210	300
Elemental iron, mg	65	65	35
Common side effects	Constipation; diarrhoea; nausea; gastrointestinal discomfort
Uncommon side effects	Discolouration of stools; decreased appetite
Product cost per 28 packet tablet, NHS indicative price as per BNF, £	1.60	1.00	3.35

BNF: British National Formulary; NHS: UK National Health Service.