Drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia are prescribed to the patient only if he has anemia or is required to prevent the occurrence of this condition. In adults, the symptoms of anemia appear if they have an inadequate diet, during pregnancy and lactation. Most often, in such cases, doctors prescribe drugs made on the basis of iron s alts or iron hydroxide. Such medicines can compensate for iron deficiency in the body.
Drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia are discussed in more detail below.
Causes of anemia in adults and children
Iron deficiency anemia develops for a number of reasons:
- The most common cause of anemia is chronic bleeding. Anemia can be the result of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract if the patient suffers from an ulcer,has a tumor, suffers from hemorrhoids, intestinal diverticulosis, erosive gastritis. Anemia in women is observed with endometriosis as a result of heavy menstruation, with uterine bleeding, with uterine myoma. Anemia can also occur against the background of nasal or pulmonary bleeding, pyelonephritis, tumor diseases of the bladder and kidneys, urolithiasis.
- Chronic form of inflammatory diseases. If a focus of chronic inflammation is present in the patient's body, the process of iron deposition is observed. As a result, its hidden deficiency develops. Under such conditions, iron is located in the depot and is not available for the formation of hemoglobin.
- Characterized by an increased need for this trace element during pregnancy, in particular starting from its second trimester, as well as during breastfeeding. A high need for iron occurs with excessive physical exertion, during intensive growth in children, with active sports.
- Impaired digestibility of iron. A similar condition occurs against the background of some pathologies. For example, with malabsorption syndrome, chronic enteritis, intestinal amyloidosis, if a resection of the small intestine was performed.
- Wrong diet. Eating foods low in iron increases the chance of developing anemia. Most often, this cause of anemia occurs in newborns and young children. Iron deficiency is also common in vegetarians.
It is important to note that no more than 2 mg of iron can be absorbed in the intestines per day, regardless of how much it is.found in food.
During the day, an adult man loses an average of 1 mg of iron along with the epithelium and hair. A woman loses approximately 1.5 mg of iron during her menstruation, provided that it is normal.
Thus, with proper nutrition in men, no more than 1 mg of iron enters the depot, in women - 0.5 mg. With an unbalanced diet or in the presence of a chronic inflammatory disease, iron is completely consumed in the body. A similar situation occurs if a woman has heavy menstruation. If there is no iron in the depot, anemia may develop under the influence of provoking factors.
When iron deficiency anemia is detected, the exact cause of the condition should be identified through clinical investigations. Once bleeding has stopped and inflammation has been identified, oral medications to treat iron deficiency anemia in women, men, and children should be started to normalize hemoglobin levels.
Then the doctor recommends taking a therapeutic dose of the drug for several months in order to replenish the supply. If the patient has poor tolerance to such drugs, take half the recommended dose.
Women of childbearing age are recommended to take any iron supplement every month for prevention. The course of admission in this case lasts 7 days, and approximately 200 mg of pure iron per day should be taken. Along with this, you can usevitamin complexes saturated with this trace element.
What are the drugs to treat iron deficiency anemia?
Classification
To eliminate anemia, experts prescribe iron supplements. The selection of the drug is carried out taking into account the age of the patient, laboratory tests, microelement tolerance. The cost of medicines is also taken into account, because not all patients have the same financial capabilities. Among other things, the doctor most often has experience in showing which drugs are best.
In order to correctly calculate the dosage of the drug, it is important to consider what kind of iron is in its composition - divalent or trivalent.
If there is a need, the drug in ampoules can be prescribed. It is administered intravenously or intramuscularly. The use of this form of drugs is possible only if indicated. Otherwise, the risk of developing allergic reactions is high.
In no case should you choose drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pharmacology, and even more so, carry out unauthorized therapy. Only a doctor is able to choose a dosage that is suitable for a particular patient, and he can also evaluate the effectiveness of a particular drug in dynamics. It is important to remember that an overdose of iron causes serious poisoning of the body.
Drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women should be prescribed with extreme caution, and their use shouldcarried out under the close supervision of a specialist. Iron preparations can be administered parenterally to an anemic patient in the following cases:
- The patient has an intolerance to oral iron preparations.
- Iron deficiency anemia is severe.
- There is a need to saturate the body with iron in a short time, for example, before surgery for hemorrhoids or fibroids.
- During an exacerbation of peptic ulcer, if symptoms of chronic pancreatitis, enteritis, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis are observed. These diseases inhibit iron absorption, so it is important to take iron supplements.
- In case of surgical operations on the gastrointestinal tract, with extensive resection of the intestine, or in case of removal of part of the stomach.
Currently, the pharmaceutical market is saturated with iron preparations, there are many medicines similar to each other that have similar effects and differ in cost. Let's take a closer look at drugs to treat the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.
Aktiferin
As part of the drug "Aktiferin" is ferrous sulfate (iron s alts). Produced by the manufacturer "Aktiferin" in the form of capsules (the price for a package of which fluctuates at the level of 280 rubles), a solution for intravenous administration (the cost starts from 320 rubles per package) and syrup (the cost is from 250 rubles). Analogues of this drug include "Ferrogrademet", "Heferol", "Ferrlecit", "Ferronal","Tardiferon", "Hemofer", "Totem". The cost of analogues is different - from 100 to 550 rubles.
Iron preparations for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia can be purchased at any pharmacy.
Hemohelper
Hemohelper contains ferrous s alts and ascorbic acid. The drug is produced by the manufacturer in the form of capsules (the cost of which is about 600 rubles) and in the form of bars for children with different tastes (the cost starts from 300 rubles). The analogues of this drug include "Sorbifer Durules" and "Ferroplex", the cost of which is at the level of 300 rubles.
The list of iron supplements for treating iron deficiency anemia doesn't end here.
Ferlatum
This preparation contains ferric iron in the form of sucnicylate protein. "Ferlatum" has the form of a solution that should be taken orally. The package contains 20 vials, each containing 15 mg of medication. The average cost of a medication is 900 rubles. In addition, there is the drug "Ferlatum Fall", containing folic acid and ferric iron. Its cost is about 700 rubles.
There are other drugs to treat the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia.
M altofer
"M altofer" is a polym altose complex containing ferric iron. The drug is available in the form of ampoules, tablets, solution, drops. The cost of this drug is from 250 rubles. The analogue is the drug "Ferrum Lek" in the form of a solutionfor injections, chewable tablets, syrup. Also, "Ferry", "Monofer" can be attributed to analogues. These are the most modern drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
Sucrose complexes for injections include Venofer (price from 2,700 rubles), Likferr (price from 2,500 rubles), Argeferr (price from 4,500 rubles). To dextran complexes - "Dextrafer" and "Cosmofer" (average cost - 2700 rubles).
Which drug is more effective in treating iron deficiency anemia is difficult to determine.
Fenules
This medication is a complex that includes vitamins C, B, PP and ferrous sulfate. "Fenyuls" is used for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency, with hypovitaminosis of group B. "Fenyuls" is not used for children, but can be used, if necessary, during pregnancy. One package of the drug contains 10 capsules, the average cost of a package is 200 rubles.
Drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children should be selected very carefully.
Hematogen
If it is necessary to take iron supplements in children, the doctor may advise "Hematogen". It is produced from the blood of cattle, which is pre-defibrated and purified, as well as auxiliary components that allow you to add flavor. "Hematogen" contains ferrous iron, nutrients, as well as a complex of macroelements and microelements. This medicine can be used in children from 3 years of age.
If it is necessary to treat iron deficiency in children under one year old,use drugs in the form of drops.
Ferrous s alts
Ferrous s alts include compounds such as fumarate, sulfate, chloride, and ferrous gluconate. Symptoms of anemia when the patient takes ferrous iron weakens gradually, and then disappears completely. Cases of fainting, weakness, dizziness and tachycardia disappear. Laboratory parameters are also normalized in the study of blood. The drug "Aktiferin" contains, in addition to ferrous iron, alpha-amino acid serine, which promotes the absorption of iron. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the dose of the drug taken, respectively, the toxicity during therapy is reduced.
Preparations containing these two substances at once are highly effective, since ascorbic acid significantly improves the absorption of iron.
What other drugs are used to treat iron deficiency anemia in adults?
Iron protein succinylate
Contains trivalent iron and a semi-synthetic protein carrier. When the carrier dissolves in the duodenum, iron is released. At the same time, absorption is significantly improved, and the gastric mucosa is protected from negative effects.
Ferlatum protein belongs to preparations based on succinylate. Available as a solution, should be taken orally.
Ferric hydroxide
These medicines include polym altose, dextran and sucrose complexes.
Polym altosethe complexes retain their stability in the digestive tract. Accordingly, absorption through the mucosa takes much longer compared to ferrous iron. In structure, it is most similar to ferritin, so poisoning the body when using such drugs, unlike ferrous s alts, is almost impossible. The complexes do not have a prooxidant effect, they are not excreted through the kidneys after intravenous or intramuscular administration.
Polym altose complexes, according to experts, have a number of advantages:
- Low toxic, making them safe to take. Even with a significant excess of the dose by the patient, poisoning is not observed.
- Highly effective, well tolerated, do not interact with food. As a result, there are much fewer side effects compared to iron s alts.
- When taken orally, the complex does not interact with food. Thus, the intake regimen does not depend on meals or diet. The drug can be added to drinks for convenience.
- Long-term therapy with ferric hydroxide preparations does not cause staining of tooth enamel, as is the case with iron s alts.
Drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in children should be prescribed by a doctor, and only if indicated.
Vitamin complexes with iron
Quite often, both adults and children are prescribed vitamin complexes containing iron. The purpose of the reception depends on the general condition of the human body. Vitamins with ironfor example, they can be used as a means of preventing micronutrient deficiency in women, as they often experience blood loss.
If a woman is diagnosed with this pathology, the doctor may recommend taking such new drugs in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia as Sorbifer Durules, also enriched with ascorbic acid, and Tardiferon. Pregnant women are often prescribed "Fenules" and "Gestalis".
Contraindications for taking
Iron rich drugs not recommended for patients:
- With different types of leukemia.
- Suffering from aplastic and hemolytic anemia.
- With chronic ailments of the liver and kidneys.
- Taking antacids, calcium supplements and tetracyclines.
- People who consume a lot of foods containing caffeine, fiber and calcium.
The list of drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia is constantly updated. But you need to be aware of the side effects.
Side effects while taking
Oral iron preparations can provoke a gastrointestinal reaction in the form of constipation, flatulence, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea. Moreover, the cost of the drug absolutely does not affect the likelihood of developing undesirable manifestations - absolutely all drugs with ferrous iron cause similar negative reactions. It is important to take this fact into account when prescribing drugs to children and pregnant women.
Easiestpatients tolerate the use of polym altozad iron hydroxide. The likelihood of side effects in this case is halved.
In addition to reactions from the gastrointestinal tract, allergic reactions may develop - itching and rash.
Iron, which is not absorbed by the body, is excreted in the feces, so its darkening is normal.
When using iron preparations intended for intravenous or intramuscular administration, dizziness, general weakness of the patient, headache, pain in the joints, muscles, and back can be observed. There may be a metallic taste in the mouth. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tachycardia, facial flushing, and hypotension are not excluded. At the injection site, redness and slight swelling of the tissues may be observed. Rare cases of fever, development of lymphadenopathy, development of anaphylactic shock have also been noted.
Iron Overdose
An overdose of iron preparations manifests itself in the same way as side effects. In addition, there may be signs of hyperventilation. If symptoms of an overdose are detected, the patient should be given a gastric lavage, provoke vomiting, drink a raw egg and milk. Subsequently, it is necessary to carry out symptomatic therapy.
If an overdose occurs with intravenous or intramuscular injection, acute iron overload may occur.
It is important to remember that the appointment, the choice of iron-containing drug, dosing shouldappoint only the attending physician, who will take into account the cause of the development of anemia, the characteristics of the patient's body, his susceptibility to a particular drug, the mode and rationality of his diet.
If the symptoms of anemia do not disappear with iron supplementation, the following facts must be considered:
- The patient may not have taken the pill or was not following the recommended dosage.
- The patient may have iron malabsorption.
- Anemia may have a different etymology.
We reviewed the classification of drugs for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
