Acute iron intoxication: The efficacy of deferiprone and sodium biocarbonate in the prevention of iron absorption from the digestive tract

To determine whether enteral deferiprone given after a loading dose of liqu id iron interferes with Iron absorption from the digestive tract, prospecti ve randomized animal study was initiated using Sprague-Dawley rats. The rat s were given 20 mg elemental iron/kg as a ferrous sulfate solution+1 mEq so dium bicarbonate/kg, and then dosed orally with 150 mg deferiprone/kg immed iately or after 15 min. Serum iron levels were measured at 1, 3, 5 and 24 h ; feces were collected for 24 h. The 20 mg elemental iron/kg caused a signi ficant and rapid increase in serum iron levels to >350 mu g/dL within 20 mi n of oral dosing. Deferiprone, if given immediately after the iron, produce d a significant decrease in serum iron levels and a 2-fold increase in iron excretion in feces. Effectiveness was delayed when the deferiprone was giv en 15 min after the iron dosing. Enteral deferiprone might be useful in pre venting cases of acute iron intoxication.