Blood Adv

IV iron dextran cost-effective for menstrual bleeding anemia

January 15, 2026

A Markov model analysis compared first-line IV iron formulations and oral ferrous sulfate for women aged 18 to 51 with heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)-related iron deficiency anemia (IDA). IV iron dextran provided 19.26 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at $157,500 vs. 19.10 QALYs at $152,900 for oral iron, yielding an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $28,600/QALY. Other IV options were more expensive without added benefit. Findings support IV iron dextran as the cost-effective strategy across sensitivity analyses and highlight the need to reduce treatment delays and insurance barriers.

Clinical takeaway: IV iron dextran is a cost-effective first-line option for women with HMB-related IDA at accepted willingness-to-pay thresholds.

Source:

Wang D, et al. (2026, January 8). Blood Adv. Cost-Effectiveness of First-Line IV Versus Oral Iron for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41504430/