Table 2 Parenteral iron formulations
From: Iron supplementation in the intensive care unit: when, how much, and by what route?
Preparation | Tradename(s) | Dose | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Iron dextran | InFed® | 250–500 mg [51] | Requires test dose (25 mg) 1 hour before starting therapy |
|  | Dexferrum® | Replacement iron = 0.3 × weight (lb) × (100 - [Hb × 100/14.8]) [35] | Large single doses (100–500 mg) are appropriate |
| Â | Â | Â | Available in small single doses (50 or 100 mg in 1 or 2 ml) |
| Â | Â | Â | May cause anaphylaxis |
Sodium ferric gluconate | Ferrlecit® | High dose used in patients with severe chronic renal insufficiency: 250 mg intravenously over 14 hours [52] | No test dose required |
| Â | Â | Â | Available in single dose (62.5 mg in 5 ml) |
| Â | Â | Â | May cause flu-like symptoms |
| Â | Â | Low dose in hemodialysis patients: 62.5 mg/week [53] | Â |
Iron sucrose (also known as iron saccharate) | Venofer® | 100–300 mg [54] | No test dose required |
| Â | Â | High dose: 250 mg/month in hemodialysis patients [53] | Available in single dose (100 mg in 5 ml) |
| Â | Â | Â | May cause hypotension and cramps |