Ferrous Fumarate Flashcards
What class of drugs does Ferrous Fumarate belong to?
Iron, multivitamins and minerals
antianemic agent
What are other drugs in the same class as Ferrous Fumarate?
Ferrous sulfate
folic acid
Sodium ascorbate
What is ferrous fumarate indicated for?
iron-deficiency anaemia
What is the dose of ferrous fumarate given?
adult prophylaxis anaemia:
1 tablet 1-2x/day
treatment of adult iron-deficiency anaemia:
1 tablet tid
take with or before food
Do not take with antacids, iron or calcium
What is the mechanism of action of ferrous fumarate?
contains 33% elemental iron which is an essential component in the physiological formation of Hb. Adequate iron levels are necessary for effective erythropoiesis and oxygen transport capacity of blood.
Iron also acts as cofactor of several essnetial enzymes incl. cytochromes invovled in electron transport.
Iron also necessary for catechola,mine metabolism and proper functioning of neutrophils
What are the main PK and PD parameters of Ferrous fumarate?
absorption increased when iron stores in body are depleted, or if rbc production is increased.
when taken with food, iron passes through mucosal cells in ferrous state, binding with transferrin with absorption primarily occurring in the duodenum and proximal jejunum
highly bound to Hb
half life 6 hours
What are the precautions regarding Ferrous fumarate use?
children
pregnancy women during first 3 moths of pregnancy
stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer
ulcer which is now under control with treatment
major stomach surgery
allergy to drugs containing iron
What are the contraindications of ferrous fumarate use?
diventricular disease ulcers from stomach acid ulcerated colon inflammation of lining of stomach and intestines, several blood transfusions iron metabolism disorder increased bodily iron from high red blood cell destruction hemolytic anaemia
anaemia caused by anything other than iron deficiency
What are the adverse reactions with ferrous fumarate use?
stomach discomfort loss of appetite nausea vomiting constipation diarrhoea dark coloured stools
What are the interactions with ferrous fumarate use?
Antacids: absorption of oral iron reduced
calcium salts: absorption of oral iron is reduced
antibacterials: oral iron reduces the absorption
bisphosphonates: oral iron reduces the absorption
thyroid hormones: oral iron reduces the absorption
Zinc: both zinc and oral iron absorption is reduced.
What are the alarm bells with ferrous fumarate use?
Do not use for anaemia which is not caused by iron deficiency
What monitoring is required with ferrous fumarate use?
iron levels- iron not really excreted, toxicity is very serious.
