PARENTERAL IRON DEXTRAN THERAPY - A REVIEW

Iron dextran was introduced more than 30 yr ago for the parenteral tre atment of iron deficiency anemia that is refractory to oral therapy. I ron dextran is a preparation of ferric hydroxide complexed with a low molecular weight fraction of dextran. Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiency diseases and occurs worldwide secondary to inadequate dietary iron, usually with excessive gastroint estinal blood losses. Repletion of iron stores is often complicated by intolerance to oral iron supplementation and may require parenteral i ron. Parenteral iron can be administered via the intramuscular or intr avenous route either directly or as an additive to total parenteral nu trition. Both routes of administration can cause various side effects and a test dose is recommended before therapeutic administration to as sess the risk for anaphylaxis. Although the efficacy and safety of par enteral iron dextran have been convincingly demonstrated, supplementat ion may be contraindicated in the setting of infection.