Effect of dose and formulation on iron tolerance in pregnancy
Shatrugna, V.; Raman, L.; Kailash, U.; Balakrishna, N.; Rao, K.V.
National Medical Journal of India 12(1): 18-20
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-258X PMID: 10326325 Document Number: 504620
The availability of Fe from different formulations containing 60 mg of elemental Fe and of tablets with varying doses of elemental Fe was measured. 115 pregnant women from India were randomly allotted to receive different formulations and doses of Fe and then undergo Fe tolerance tests. They received ferrous sulphate tablets containing 60 mg, 120 mg and 180 mg of elemental Fe; formulations containing 60 mg of elemental Fe as pure ferrous sulphate salt, ferrous fumarate tablets, ferrous fumarate syrup, excipients added to pure ferrous sulphate salts, powdered ferrous sulphate tablets, Fe tablets distributed by the NNAPP and pure ferrous salt in gelatin capsules. The data obtained from 32 subjects were excluded because of non-compliance, intolerance of the medication and lack of results of blood tests. Data from the remaining 83 subjects indicated that increasing the dose of elemental Fe from 60 mg to 180 mg improved the availability of Fe, but was associated with unacceptable side-effects. Also, liquid formulations of Fe had a better availability, with ferrous fumarate syrup and gelatin capsules being the most superior. Providing the Fe formulation with a high availability should enable the Indian National Nutritional Anaemia Prophylaxis Programme to be more successful in decreasing the prevalence of anaemia.