Iron preparations. What is the difference?

Complete and balanced diet cannot eliminate iron deficiency, it serves only as a condition for maintaining the body's physiological needs for this element.  Iron supplements form the basis of IDA treatment and prevention.

 

Depending on the administration type, there are:

  • oral iron preparations (tablets, capsules, drops, solution)
  • parenteral iron preparations (intravenous and intramuscular)

The effectiveness of therapy for iron deficiency anemia is determined not only by the bioavailability of the drug, but as well by the patient's adherence to treatment, which is significantly influenced by tolerance and side effects. In most cases, to correct iron deficiency, in case of any special indications absence, iron supplements should be taken orally.  At the same time, the admission type for IDA is determined by the specific clinical situation.

Oral iron supplements are divided into:

  • ferrous iron preparations (organic and inorganic iron salts);
  • ferric iron (iron-containing complexes - chelates).

Ideal oral iron supplementation

  • possesses high bioavailability - therapeutic efficiency;
  • is easy to use - does not interact with food and other drugs;
  • has good gastrointestinal tolerance and has no or low incidence of side effects (staining of teeth or unpleasant taste in the mouth..)

Oral iron supplements: what is the difference?

  Fe2+ Fe3+
  Sulfate, fumarate, gluconate Hydroxide polymaltose complex (IPC) Sucrosomial® Iron
Биодоступность 4,6-14,6 % 1,7-4,1 % about 100%
  Fe2+ enters the bloodstream faster than Fe3+, as a result of this uncontrolled absorption, the transport system of iron is overloaded and a large amount of unbound metal is formed in the serum, that results in oxidative stress and increasing number of side effects.  Besides, in the process of ferrous oxidation iron into ferric, free radicals are formed, and it has a damaging effect. 

Non-ionic iron compounds are absorbed by active, controlled absorption.

Unlike ferrous salts, ferric preparations do not have prooxidant properties and are better tolerated. 

The innovative Sucrosomial technology allows fast and 100% delivery of iron pyrophosphate to a target organ, avoiding typical side effects of traditional Fe2+ salts preparations and Fe3+ complexes.

Upon entering the lumen of the small intestine, sucrosomes containing iron penetrate into the M- cells of the small intestine by endocytosis and are transported to the lymph.  With the lymph flow they enter the liver, where Fe3+ is released from the sucrosomial membrane and are included into active metabolism.

The incidence of side effects of the gastrointestinal tract

20-35%
metallic taste in the mouth, darkening of teeth and gums, dyspepsia (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea)

10-15%
possible dyspeptic reactions

None
Efficiency Gives a faster effect in doses of 100-200 mg / day Requires a longer and high-dosage treatment (200-300 mg / day)

High efficiency
At a dose of 30 mg / day, it is comparable with parenteral forms of admission

Effectiveness in anemia of chronic diseases (ACD)

of low efficiency
Has hepcidin-dependent iron delivery mechanism

of low efficiency
Has hepcidin-dependent iron delivery mechanism

Of high efficiency
Has hepcidin independent iron delivery mechanism

Is to be taken 2 times a day 3 times a day 1 time a day
Interaction with food and other medications Iron absorption is impaired when taken simultaneously with antacids, as well as with foods such as coffee, tea, eggs and milk Does not interact with food components Does not interact with food components and other medications
Adherence to treatment Low Medium

High

IMPORTANT!

Ferrous sulfate preparations are partially prohibited (patient categories: pregnant women, children with gastrointestinal diseases) in France, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland.  Since 2009, preparations with iron sulfate have also been prohibited for registration for use by pregnant women in Russia, as it causes congenital fetal anomalies and gastrointestinal disorders in pregnant women and in women with gastrointestinal pathology.

What else you need to pay attention to when choosing a medication

The packaging of the medication usually indicates not the amount of elemental iron, but the content of the iron salt, while the required dose of the drug is calculated specifically for elemental iron.  So, in iron sulfate there are 19.2% of elemental iron, therefore, to get 60 mg of elemental iron - you need to take 300 mg of iron sulfate.  In iron gluconate there are 11.7%, and in fumarate there are 32.7% of elemental iron ... Taking this into account, when choosing an iron preparation, one should focus not on the content of the total amount of iron compounds in it, but on the amount of elemental iron.

 

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