iron sucrose at a glance
Medicine class
Intravenous anti-anaemic iron preparation
How it is given
Into a vein by trained healthcare professionals
Before treatment
Blood tests must confirm iron deficiency and help assess iron stores
Safety observation
Monitoring is required during and after every administration because serious allergic reactions can occur
What is iron sucrose used for?
UK-licensed uses require iron deficiency to be confirmed by appropriate laboratory tests.
Iron deficiency when there is a clinical need to supply iron rapidly
Iron deficiency when oral iron cannot be tolerated or taken reliably
Active inflammatory bowel disease when oral iron is ineffective
Chronic kidney disease when oral iron is less effective
How does iron sucrose work?
The iron–sucrose complex is taken up mainly by cells in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. It then releases usable iron to transferrin for transport, ferritin for storage and tissues that make haemoglobin, myoglobin and iron-containing enzymes.
How to take iron sucrose
Iron sucrose is not swallowed, and food does not affect its administration. A healthcare professional gives it through a vein as an infusion, slow injection or through the venous line during haemodialysis. Report pain, burning or swelling around the cannula immediately because leakage can cause inflammation and potentially lasting brown skin staining.
It must be administered where trained staff, monitoring and resuscitation facilities are available.
Remain available for observation after administration.
Do not drive or operate machinery if dizziness, confusion or light-headedness occurs.
iron sucrose side effects
Common or expected effects
- Metallic or altered taste
- Nausea
- Temporary high or low blood pressure
- Pain, irritation, bruising, itching or discolouration at the injection or infusion site
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis, which may cause breathing difficulty, swelling, rash, faintness or collapse
- Chest pain associated with an allergic reaction
- Leakage outside the vein causing pain, inflammation and potentially long-lasting skin staining
iron sucrose in pregnancy
Iron sucrose should be used during pregnancy only when clearly necessary after assessment of benefits and risks. Oral iron can often be used during the first trimester; intravenous iron sucrose is generally confined to later pregnancy when its expected benefit outweighs potential risk. The unborn baby should be monitored during administration because transient slowing of the fetal heart rate can follow a maternal hypersensitivity reaction.
iron sucrose while breastfeeding
Information is limited. A small study found no increase in breast-milk iron after intravenous iron sucrose, and unchanged iron–sucrose complex is unlikely to enter milk; nevertheless, the prescriber should assess benefits and possible risks for the parent and baby.
iron sucrose interactions
Tell the treating team about all medicines and supplements, especially oral iron.
Oral iron preparations
Giving oral and intravenous iron together reduces absorption of the oral preparation, so the prescriber should decide when oral iron is stopped and restarted.
Common questions about iron sucrose
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is iron sucrose used instead of iron tablets?
It may be chosen when iron is needed rapidly or when oral iron cannot be tolerated, taken reliably or absorbed effectively, including in some people with active inflammatory bowel disease or chronic kidney disease.
How is iron sucrose given?
A trained healthcare professional gives it directly into a vein by infusion, slow injection or through a dialysis-machine venous line.
Can I eat before receiving iron sucrose?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.