Ferric carboxymaltose

Mechanism of action

Ferric carboxymaltose is a macromolecular ferric hydroxide carbohydrate complex, which allows for controlled delivery of iron within the cells of the reticuloendothelial system and subsequent delivery to the iron-binding proteins ferritin and transferrin, with minimal risk of release of large amounts of ionic iron in the serum. Intravenous administration of ferric carboxymaltose results in transient elevations in serum iron, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation, and, ultimately, in the correction of haemoglobin levels and replenishment of depleted iron stores.

Clinical Use

Ferric carboxymaltose complex:
Treatment of iron deficiency anaemia (when oral treatment is ineffective or contraindicated)

Side effects

Ferric carboxymaltose was well tolerated, with most drug-related adverse events being mild to moderate in severity. Commonly reported drug-related adverse events included headache, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, rash and injection site reactions.
The incidence of drug-related adverse events in patients receiving intravenous ferric carboxymaltose was generally similar to that in patients receiving oral ferrous sulfate. In general, rash and local injection-site reactions were more common with ferric carboxymaltose, whereas gastrointestinal adverse events were more frequent with ferrous sulfate. In patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing haemodialysis, a lower proportion of ferric carboxymaltose than iron sucrose recipients experienced at least one drug-related adverse event.

Drug interactions

Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Dimercaprol: avoid concomitant use.
Oral iron: reduced absorption

Metabolism

Most absorbed iron is bound to transferrin and transported to the bone marrow where it is incorporated into haemoglobin; the remainder is contained within the storage forms, ferritin or haemosiderin, or as myoglobin, with smaller amounts occurring in haem-containing enzymes or in plasma bound to transferrin. Only very small amounts of iron are excreted as the majority released after the destruction of the haemoglobin molecule is re-used.