Xuetai Iron Dextran Tablets

1. Indications and Usage
Iron Deficiency Anemia: Indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, particularly in patients with chronic blood loss, malnutrition, or malabsorption syndromes.
Intolerance to Oral Iron: Often reserved for patients who cannot tolerate oral iron preparations or who have severe anemia requiring rapid repletion.
2. Dosage and Administration
Calculate Deficit: Dosage is calculated based on the patient’s body weight and hemoglobin gap (e.g., Total Iron Dose = 0.04425 × (Target Hb – Actual Hb) × weight).
Administration: This is a parenteral complex. While tablets exist, the active iron dextran is typically administered via deep intramuscular injection or slow intravenous infusion.
Precaution: Intravenous administration should be initiated with a test dose (usually 25 mg) to assess tolerance before proceeding with the full dose.
3. Mechanism of Action
Iron Delivery: Iron Dextran is a complex of ferric hydroxide and dextran. It enters the reticuloendothelial system, where iron is released and binds to transferrin.
Heme Synthesis: The delivered iron is utilized by the bone marrow for the synthesis of hemoglobin, thereby reversing anemia and replenishing tissue iron stores.
4. Safety and Warnings
Hypersensitivity: There is a risk of severe anaphylactoid reactions, which can be fatal. It is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to iron dextran.
Iron Overload: Chronic use can lead to hemosiderosis or hemochromatosis.
Infection Risk: Iron is a growth factor for some bacteria; its administration during active infections should be carefully weighed.
5. Adverse Reactions and Clinical Research
Common Adverse Reactions: Injection site pain, staining of the skin, nausea, headache, and arthralgia.
Serious Adverse Reactions: Anaphylaxis, hypotension, and complex regional pain syndrome (at the injection site).
Clinical Findings: Parenteral iron dextran is highly effective at rapidly restoring hemoglobin levels in patients who fail oral therapy.
6. Drug Interactions
Antacids: Can interfere with the absorption of oral iron preparations, though this has less effect on parenteral dextran.
Levodopa: Iron may reduce the therapeutic effect of levodopa.
Tetracyclines: Iron decreases the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics.
7. Pharmaceutical Information
Active Ingredient: Iron Dextran (a complex of ferric hydroxide and dextran).
Strengths: Various concentrations available for injection (e.g., 50 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL).
Appearance: The injection is typically a dark brown, colloidal solution.
Storage: Store below 25°C. Do not freeze. Protect from light.