IRON SUCROSE VERSUS FERRIC CARBOXYMALTOSE IN PREGNANCY-ASSOCIATED IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA

Abstract

Iron deficiency anaemia affects a large share of pregnant women worldwide, and intravenous iron is increasingly used when oral therapy fails, is not tolerated or cannot work quickly enough. This review, which reports no new data, compares iron sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose as they are described in the published literature. It covers the chemistry and pharmacokinetics of the two complexes, dosing schedules, haemoglobin and ferritin responses, hypersensitivity, hypophosphataemia and other adverse effects, and practical points for the pharmacist and obstetric team. Both agents correct anaemia faster than oral iron, and ferric carboxymaltose allows fewer visits, but head-to-head pregnancy trials are small and short, and evidence on maternal and neonatal outcomes remains limited.