Sodium feredetate

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

Sodium feredetate is not an iron salt as it contains iron in an un-ionised form. In this compound the iron is “insulated” or “sequestered” with the sodium salt of ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) to form a chelate. This accounts for the fact that sodium feredetate is not astringent and does not discolour teeth. Studies using radioactive tracers have shown that the iron chelate is split within the gastro-intestinal tract, releasing elemental iron which is absorbed and rendered available for haemoglobin regeneration.

Iron absorption is enhanced in iron-deficiency states. Post-absorption distribution of elemental iron is as follows: 60% to 70% is incorporated into haemoglobin and most of the remainder is present in storage forms, either as ferritin or haemosiderin, in the reticulo-endothelial system and to a lesser extent, hepatocytes. A further 4% is present in myoglobin and haeme-containing enzymes, or bound to transferrin in plasma. Excretion is mainly in the faeces.

EDTA passes through the body unchanged. The compound is poorly absorbed, and that which reaches the bloodstream is eliminated by both glomerular filtration and tubular excretion.

No further data.