A single dose of intravenous iron dextran provides about:

• A. 200 mg
• B. 500 mg
• C. 1000 mg
• D. 1500 mg

Answer: (C)

A single infusion of intravenous iron dextran is designed to replenish iron stores quickly, delivering about 1000 mg of elemental iron in one dose. This amount matches the typical iron deficit you aim to correct in iron deficiency anemia, allowing faster improvement in hemoglobin and iron stores than smaller amounts. In practice, this 1000 mg can be given as one infusion or split into two 500 mg injections depending on protocol and patient tolerance. Smaller doses, like 200 mg or 500 mg, would not fully restore stores in one session and would require additional dosing, while a much larger dose (such as 1500 mg) isn’t standard for a single-dose regimen due to safety considerations.