<prompt> All of the following are characteristic features of treatment of iron deficiency anemia with oral iron supplements, except:If 200-300 mg elemental iron is consumed, about 50 mg is absorbedThe propoion of iron absorbed reduces as hemoglobin improvesThe reticulocyte count should begin to increase in two weeks and peak in 4 weeks --this suggests good response to treatmentThe treatment should be discontinued immediately once hemoglobin normalizes to prevent side effects of iron.  <response>: A total of200mg given daily in three divided doses produces the maximal haemopoietic response. Iron therapy should be continued for 3-6 months after the correction of deficiency in order to replenish the iron stores. From medical pharmacology padmaja 4th edition page 328 and essential of medical pharmacology K D Tripati 7th edition page no 603 