Ferrous fumarate

Iron is an essential constituent of the body, and is necessary for haemoglobin formation and the oxidative processes of living tissues. Iron and iron salts should be given for the treatment or prophylaxis of iron deficiency anaemias. Preparations of iron are administered by mouth, by intramuscular or intravenous injection.

Soluble ferrous salts are most effective by mouth. 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.

Absorption

Once in the stomach, the acid conditions of the gastric contents cause the dissociation of ferrous fumerate and ferrous ions are liberated. These ions are absorbed through the proximal portion of the duodenum.

The ferrous iron absorbed by the mucosal cells of the duodenum is oxidised to the ferric form, and this is bound to protein to form Ferritin.

Distribution

Ferritin in the mucosal cells releases iron into the blood, where it is bound to transferrin and is passed onto the iron stores in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.

These stores constitute a reserve of iron for synthesis of haemoglobin, myoglobin, and iron containing enzymes.

Elimination

Iron is lost from the body through loss of cells i.e, urine, faeces, hair, skin, sputum, nails, sloughing of mucosal cells, and through blood loss.

Ferrous fumarate has the same pattern of absorption and excretion as dietary iron.

No further data.