ATC Group: B03AA Iron bivalent, oral preparations

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.