Haemoglobin synthesis following injection of iron-poly (sorbitol-gluconic acid) complex, Ferastral.

Ferastral, a new iron-poly (sorbitol-gluconic acid) complex for parenteral use has been given to 22 patients with iron deficiency anaemia. The patients were divided in two groups. Group I received a suboptimal dose of Ferastral iron corresponding to 90% of the iron calculated to normalize the haemoglobin value. Increases in total haemoglobin and also blood losses were measured. The availability of the injected iron for haemoglobin synthesis ranged from 63% to 111%. Group II received an amount of Ferastral-iron calculated to be necessary for normalization of the haemoglobin plus an additional 500 mg of Ferastral-iron. In this group the haemoglobin increase was rapid. In 7 weeks 10 out of 14 patients had reached a normal haemoglobin level.