The pros and cons of the regular iron supplements

What you need to know

FERROUS SULPHATE Brand names: Feosol®, Fer-in-Sol®, Fer-in-Sol TR®, Ferra-TD®

Together with other iron compounds, ferrous sulfate is used to forIfy foods and to treat iron-deficiency anemia. The hydrated form is used medically to treat iron deficiency, and also for industrial applicaIons. ConsIpaIon is a frequent and uncomfortable side effect associated with the administraIon of oral iron supplements. Stool soPeners oPen are prescribed to prevent consIpaIon.

(Wikipedia)

FERROUS FUMARATE Brand names: Feostat, Ferro-Sequels, Hemocyte, Nephro Fer, Palafer

Iron(II) fumarate, also known as ferrous fumarate, is the iron(II) salt of fumaric acid, occurring as a reddish-orange powder, used to supplement iron intake.

(Wikipedia)

Side effects of therapy with oral non-heme iron are most oPen diarrhea or consIpaIon and epigastric abdominal discomfort.

FERROUS GLYCINE SULFATE Brand names: Duofer, FeconIn, Ferbisol, Ferro Gyn, Ferro Sanol, Glutaferro Gotas, Herronduo, Niferex, Obsidan

Ferrous glycine sulfate is today the most widely used non-heme iron supplement internaIonally. It is a convenIonal non-heme iron deficiency treatment.

This means that uptake/efficacy is from 2 – 4 % and there are commonly gastro-intesInal side-effects.

HEME IRON POLYPEPTIDE

Brand names: Proferrin

Heme iron polypepIde (HIP) is a new generaIon oral iron which uses the heme porphyrin ring to supply iron to sites of absorpIon in the intesInal lumen.

Side effects of therapy with oral non-heme iron are most oPen diarrhea or consIpaIon and epigastric abdominal discomfort.

FERROUS GLUCONATE

Brand names: Fergon, Floradix

Similar efficacy and tolerability as Ferrous Sulfate.

Floradix contains organic iron (II) from ferrous gluconate. This iron is taken up at only 2 – 4 % and has tolerance as a typical syntethic non-heme iron. Iron content in Floradix is only 15 mg per 20 ml.

GastrointesInal side effects are generally dose-related and have included nausea, consIpaIon, anorexia, heartburn, vomiIng and diarrhea. In addiIon, stools may appear darker in color in paIents taking ferrous gluconate.

PARENTERAL IRON

Iron dextran, Iron sucrose, Ferric gluconate

Parenteral iron therapy (intravenously or intramuscular) is given when oral therapy has failed (not tolerated by the paIent). Parenteral therapy is more expensive than oral iron preparaIons and is not suitable during the first trimester of pregnancy. There are however risks with iron injecIons over a longer period of Ime. Intravenous iron injecIons cause periods of exacerbaIon of oxidaIve stress in the circulaIon.

HEME IRON

Brand names: OpIFer®

Natural bovine hemoglobin is not only well-tolerated and an efficient source of iron. It means also a wealth of micronutrients and for example amino acids and signal substances that together make the formaIon of blood naturally more efficient.

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