OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic efficacies of Shengxuening tablet and Iron sucrose injection for anemia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and their effects on oxidative stress and micro-inflammation state. METHODS: 80 patients who had received MHD over half year were assigned into shengxuening group and iron sucrose group with 40 cases in each group. Both groups received MHD 3 times a week, 4 h/time, blood flow of 200~300 ml/min; erythropoietin(EPO)was used at a dose of 10 000 IU/time hypodermically in each group. Shengxuening group was additionally given Shengxuening tablet orally, 0.5 g/time, tid. Iron sucrose group was given Iron sucrose injection 100 mg 2 h intravenously via dialyser after the beginning of hemodialysis, twice a week, received iron treatment every one week until complete the total dose of 1 000 mg, to maintain ferritin between 100~300 μg/L. The levels of Hb, Hct, SF, TSAT, hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, SOD and GSH-Px were tested in 2 groups before and 12 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, the levels of Hb, Hct, SF and TSAT in 2 groups were significantly increased, with statistical significance (P<0.01); but there was no statistical significance between 2 groups (P>0.05). Compared with before treatment, the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α and MDA increased significantly in iron sucrose group, while SOD and GSH-Px levels declined significantly, with statistical significance (P<0.01). Above indicators of shengxuening group had no significant change, compared with before treatment; there was statistical significance between 2 groups after treatment (P<0.01). No obvious ADR was found in 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic efficacy of shengxuening is similar to that of iron sucrose in improving the anemia and iron deficiency status of MHD patients, but doesn’t aggravate oxidative stress and micro-inflammation state. It is an safe and effective oral iron supplement drugs.