| Description |
Iron dextran is a dark brown, slightly viscous liquid complex of ferric hydroxide and dextran for intravenous or intramuscular use. Iron Dextran is used for the treatment of patients with documented iron deficiency in which oral administration is unsatisfactory or impossible. It is supplied as a parenteral preparation and is used as a hematinic. (Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 8th ed, p1292)
Iron-Dextran is for the parenteral treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in humans and baby pigs. Can be used as a reagent. |
| Chemical Properties |
Light to dark brown powder. Colloidal suspension of an iron-dextran complex in water. pH 5.2-6.5. |
| History |
The therapeutic value of colloidal iron preparations was first reported in the 1950's by London and Twigg. Numerous attempts have been made to improve these iron preparations Thus dextran ([h] 0.05) is first heated with alkali, and is then neutralized in the presence of ferric chloride solution. Studies on this product have revealed that each particle consists of a central iron core, approximately 3nm diameter, surrounded by a dextran sheath of approximately 13nm diameter. The complex is visualized as a particle formed by a protective sheath of dextran attached by terminal metasaccharinic acid units to a b-FeOOH core. A solution of this complex containing 5% iron and 20% dextran (Imferon ™ ) is suitable for intramuscular and intravenous injection for treating iron deficiency anemia. The product is currently used widely for treating anemia in new-born piglets.
The use of these preparations has been re-examined in humans and a dramatic rise in hemoglobin was reported following intravenous infusion. The solution is best administered together with glucose solutions. |
| Reactivity Profile |
Iron-dextran is unstable at a pH of 5 and decomposes at 149-158° F. Iron-dextran may be sensitive to prolonged exposure to air. |
| Health Hazard |
SYMPTOMS: The symptoms associated with exposure to Iron-dextran are headaches, vomiting, and dizziness. |
| Fire Hazard |
Iron-dextran is combustible. |
China
