Indication: Treatment of Anemia
Oral Examples: Ferrous Gluconate, Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Fumarate, Polysaccharide Iron, Heme Iron
Intravenous Examples: Iron Sucrose, Iron Dextran
Each agent has different amounts of elemental iron.
Gluconate: 35 mg
Sulfate: 60 mg
Fumarate: 100 mg
Polysaccharide: 150 mg
Heme: 11 mg
Oral Dosing:
-Can vary greatly, once to three times daily
-Dividing doses can help with less adverse effects
-Empty stomach has the best absorption, but may be taken with food to reduce GI upset
-vitamin C helps with absorption too
Oral Adverse Effects:
-GI upset including nausea, constipation (drink more water)
-black stools (normal)
IV Adverse Effects:
-Iron overload
-Anaphylaxis (more likely with iron dextran) --> recommend to do a test dose
Oral Drug Interactions: Space Apart Administration
-Antacids: calcium, aluminum --> decreased iron absorption
-Chelators: levothyroxine, fluoroquinolones, cholestyramine, tetracyclines --> decreased iron absorption