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Anemia — Key Takeaways

• Iron deficiency → Oral ferrous sulfate (cheapest, first-line); add vitamin C to enhance absorption; treat 3–6 months after correction of cause. Use parenteral iron (iron dextran/sucrose/ferric carboxymaltose) only when oral fails.
• B₁₂ deficiency / Pernicious anemia → IM cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin, lifelong in pernicious anemia. Never give folic acid alone — it will not fix the neurological damage.
• Folate deficiency → Oral folic acid 1 mg/day. Use leucovorin for methotrexate rescue.
• Renal anemia → Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (epoetin alfa, darbepoetin); keep Hb 10–11 g/dL; ensure iron stores are adequate.
• Iron overdose antidote → Deferoxamine (chelation therapy).

Asthma — Key Takeaways

• Rescue → Albuterol (SABA) is always first-line for acute bronchoconstriction.
• Controller → Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the cornerstone of persistent asthma management. Always rinse mouth after use.
• Step 3+ → Add a LABA to ICS; never use LABA alone in asthma (FDA warning).
• Theophylline → Narrow therapeutic index; third-line only; monitor serum levels.
• Leukotriene modifiers → Montelukast, zafirlukast useful for mild persistent asthma and aspirin-sensitive asthma; boxed warning for neuropsychiatric events.
• Biologics → Reserve for severe uncontrolled disease; select by phenotype (IgE, eosinophil count).
• Status asthmaticus → SABA + ipratropium nebulization + systemic steroids + O₂; add IV magnesium if life-threatening.