Parenteral iron: iron deficiency anaemias (Formulary)
TAM (Treatments and Medicines) NHS Highland
Only give iron parenterally if oral iron therapy is not tolerated.
- Parenteral iron can cause serious allergic or anaphylactoid reactions therefore administer treatment where cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be carried out. Check SPC for contra-indications/cautions in the first trimester of pregnancy; can be used in the second and third trimesters and during lactation if the level of anaemia is considered to put mother or foetus at risk.
- Iron sucrose can be given by slow intravenous infusion or injection into a dialyser; it is too irritant to be given by intramuscular or subcutaneous routes. Iron isomaltoside is given by high-dose intravenous infusion; refer to the SPC for further information on infusion times.
Important: Therapy notes
MHRA advice: Ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject▼): risk of symptomatic hypophosphataemia leading to osteomalacia and fractures (November 2020) (www.gov.uk).
- Refer to SPC for information on dose calculation and administration.
Important: Therapy notes
- For intramuscular use in selected frail elderly patients where the risk of harm of repeated failed intravenous access is greater than the risk of intramuscular iron, or where due to frailty patients are unable to travel to a centre which provides intravenous therapy.