Iron-poly (sorbitol-gluconic acid) complex and iron-dextran in the treatment of severe iron deficiency anaemia.

An investigation has been carried out to study the efficacy of iron-poly (sorbitol-gluconic acid) complex (Ferastral) in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia. Ferastral was given by the intramuscular route every second or third day in a dose of 500 mg, divided in two injections. These were compared with the results of a group treated with iron-dextran given by Total Dose Infusion (TDI). A total of 38 patients were treated with either Ferastral or iron-dextran by TDI, respectively, given according to random allocation. The total dose of iron given in both groups was 1 500 mg of elemental iron. The parameters investigated were haematocrit and haemoglobin. Side-effects were also recorded. The results in the group treated with Ferastral where the mean initial haemoglobin value was 9.5 g/100 ml showed a mean haemoglobin increase to 13.2 g/100 ml after eight weeks. Initial haemoglobin values and haemoglobin increase for iron-dextran by TDI were quite similar. Three patients in the Ferastral group had transient discolouration at the site of injection and one patient in the iron-dextran TDI-group had a serious allergic reaction.