ATC Group: B03A Iron preparations

The iron complex ferric carboxymaltose is designed to provide, in a controlled way, utilisable iron for the iron transport and storage proteins in the body (transferrin and ferritin, respectively). Ferric carboxymaltose treatment results in an increase in reticulocyte count, serum ferritin levels and TSAT levels to within normal ranges.

Iron in a stable ferric state as a complex with a trimaltol ligand. The complex is designed to provide, in a controlled way, utilisable iron for uptake across the intestinal wall and transfer to the iron transport and storage proteins in the body (transferrin and ferritin, respectively). The complex dissociates on uptake from the gastro-intestinal tract and the complex itself does not enter the systemic circulation.

Ferrous fumarate is an easily absorbed source of iron for replacement therapy. It is a salt of ferrous iron with an organic acid and is less irritant to the gastro-intestinal tract than salts with inorganic acids. Iron and iron salts should be given for the treatment or prophylaxis of iron deficiency anaemias.

Iron is an essential constituent of the body, being necessary for haemoglobin formation and for the oxidative processes of living tissues. More than 80% of the iron present in the body is involved in the support of red blood cell production. Ferrous gluconate is indicated for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency states.

Ferrous glycine sulfate is a medicinal product for the treatment of iron deficiency. It contains iron (Fe2+) in a form that the body can easily absorb and utilize and is therefore suitable to eliminate symptoms caused by iron deficiency. Like all iron preparations, ferrous glycine sulfate has no effects on erythropoiesis or anaemia that is not due to iron deficiency.

Iron sulphate is a co-factor of various enzymes necessary for the transfer of energy (eg. cytochrome oxidase, xanthine oxidase). Iron is also present in hemoglobin and myoglobin, which are essential for the transport and use of oxygen.

Ferumoxytol (USAN) is a dark-brown substance, which consists of nano-sized super paramagnetic iron (III)-oxide-cores coated with a small-sized carbohydrate shell of polyglucose sorbitol carboxymethylether (PSC).

Iron sucrose is composed of a polynuclear iron(III)-hydroxide core surrounded by a large number of non-covalently bound sucrose molecules. The polynuclear iron core has a structure similar to that of the core of the physiological iron storage protein ferritin. The complex is designed to provide, in a controlled manner, utilisable iron for the iron transport and storage proteins in the body (i.e., transferrin and ferritin, respectively).

Iron(III) complex enables a controlled and slow release of bioavailable iron to iron-binding proteins with little risk of free iron. Evidence of a therapeutic response can be seen within a few days of administration of iron(III) as an increase in the reticulocyte count.

Sodium feredetate is used for iron deficiency anaemia. After absorption, elemental iron is available for haemoglobin regeneration and reversal of anaemia associated with iron-deficient states.