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Polysaccharide Iron Complex Brand Names
EZFE | Ferrex 150 | Ferrex-150 | FerUS | iFerex 150 | Niferex | NovaFerrum | Nu-Iron | Poly-Iron | ProFe
What is Polysaccharide Iron Complex
Polysaccharide iron complex is an oral iron preparation used in the treatment and prevention of iron-deficiency anemia and for nutritional supplementation when iron intake in the diet is inadequate to meet body needs.
The drug is not an iron salt; 1 mg of polysaccharide-iron complex is equivalent to 1 mg of elemental iron. Iron is an essential mineral and is a component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and multiple enzymes.
The anemia of iron deficiency may result in fatigue, exertional shortness of breath, tachycardia, pallor, headache, glossitis, koilonychia (spoon nails), and decreased cognitive functioning.
Meat, fish, and poultry are excellent sources of iron in the diet. Other good dietary sources of iron include beans, dried fruits (e.g., raisins) and enriched cereals and grains.
Infant formulas are commonly fortified with iron in the US.
Polysaccharide iron complex is available without a prescription; iron as a therapeutic mineral was approved at the inception of the FDA in 1938.
Indications
- iron-deficiency anemia
- nutritional supplementation
Side Effects
- abdominal pain
- anorexia
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dysphagia
- esophageal stricture
- esophageal ulceration
- esophagitis
- hemosiderosis
- nausea
- odynophagia
- oral ulceration
- stool discoloration
- tooth discoloration
- vomiting
Monitoring Parameters
- ferritin
- hemoglobin/hematocrit
- serum iron
Contraindications
- accidental exposure
- anemia
- breast-feeding
- children
- colitis
- dysphagia
- GI disease
- GI obstruction
- hemochromatosis
- hemolytic anemia
- hemosiderosis
- hepatic disease
- ileus
- infants
- inflammatory bowel disease
- neonates
- paraben hypersensitivity
- peptic ulcer disease
- porphyria
- pregnancy
- sideroblastic anemia
- thalassemia
Interactions
- Abacavir; Dolutegravir; Lamivudine
- Acetohydroxamic Acid
- Amoxicillin; Clarithromycin; Lansoprazole
- Amoxicillin; Clarithromycin; Omeprazole
- Antacids
- Aspirin, ASA; Citric Acid; Sodium Bicarbonate
- Aspirin, ASA; Omeprazole
- Bictegravir; Emtricitabine; Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Bisphosphonates
- Calcium Carbonate
- Calcium Carbonate; Magnesium Hydroxide
- Calcium Carbonate; Risedronate
- Calcium Carbonate; Simethicone
- Carbidopa; Levodopa
- Carbidopa; Levodopa; Entacapone
- Cefdinir
- Cholestyramine
- Cimetidine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Darbepoetin Alfa
- Deferasirox
- Deferiprone
- Deferoxamine
- Delafloxacin
- Dexlansoprazole
- Didanosine, ddI
- Dimercaprol
- Dolutegravir
- Dolutegravir; Lamivudine
- Dolutegravir; Rilpivirine
- Eltrombopag
- enteral feedings
- Epoetin Alfa
- Esomeprazole
- Esomeprazole; Naproxen
- Ethanol
- Famotidine
- Famotidine; Ibuprofen
- Ferric carboxymaltose
- Ferumoxytol
- food
- Gemifloxacin
- Green Tea
- H2-blockers
- Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Methyldopa
- Ibritumomab Tiuxetan
- Iron – Injectable Only
- Iron Dextran
- Iron Sucrose, Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide
- Lansoprazole
- Lansoprazole; Naproxen
- Lanthanum Carbonate
- Levodopa
- Levofloxacin
- Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta
- Methyldopa
- Moxifloxacin
- Mycophenolate
- Nizatidine
- Norfloxacin
- Ofloxacin
- Omeprazole
- Omeprazole; Amoxicillin; Rifabutin
- Omeprazole; Sodium Bicarbonate
- Pantoprazole
- Penicillamine
- Phosphorated Carbohydrate Solution
- Phosphorus
- Potassium Phosphate
- Potassium Phosphate; Sodium Phosphate
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Rabeprazole
- Ranitidine
- Sodium Bicarbonate
- Sodium picosulfate; Magnesium oxide; Anhydrous citric acid
- Tetracyclines
- Thyroid hormones
- Trientine
- Zinc
