From the Guidelines
The recommended dose of Venofer (iron sucrose) injection for treating iron deficiency anemia is 200 mg, administered intravenously, with a maximum single dose of 200 mg and a maximum weekly dose of 500 mg, as indicated by the most recent guidelines 1. The standard regimen consists of 200 mg given 1-3 times weekly until the total calculated iron deficit is reached. The total iron requirement can be calculated based on the patient's hemoglobin level and body weight. Administration should occur slowly, with 200 mg given over at least 30 minutes to reduce the risk of hypotension and other adverse reactions, as recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) 1. For hemodialysis patients, a common maintenance regimen is 100 mg 1-3 times weekly during dialysis. Patients should be monitored for signs of hypersensitivity during and after administration, as anaphylactic reactions can occur. The medication works by replenishing iron stores needed for red blood cell production and hemoglobin synthesis. Treatment should continue until iron stores are replenished, typically indicated by normalized hemoglobin levels and improved ferritin and transferrin saturation values. It is worth noting that the use of Venofer has been extensively studied, and its safety profile is well established, with a lower risk of adverse reactions compared to other intravenous iron preparations, such as iron dextran 1. However, the most recent and highest quality study should always be prioritized, and in this case, the guidelines from the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) conference provide the most up-to-date recommendations for the use of Venofer in patients with iron deficiency anemia 1.
Some key points to consider when administering Venofer include:
- Maximum single dose: 200 mg
- Maximum weekly dose: 500 mg
- Minimum infusion time for maximum dose: 30 minutes (EMA) or 15 minutes (FDA)
- Minimum injection time for maximum dose: 10 minutes (EMA) or 2-5 minutes (FDA)
- Monitoring for signs of hypersensitivity during and after administration.
Overall, the use of Venofer for treating iron deficiency anemia is a well-established practice, and its safety and efficacy have been extensively studied, with the most recent guidelines providing clear recommendations for its use 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION Venofer must only be administered intravenously either by slow injection or by infusion. The dosage of Venofer is expressed in mg of elemental iron. Each mL contains 20 mg of elemental iron.
2 Adult Patients with Hemodialysis Dependent-Chronic Kidney Disease (HDD-CKD) Administer Venofer 100 mg undiluted as a slow intravenous injection over 2 to 5 minutes, or as an infusion of 100 mg diluted in a maximum of 100 mL of 0.9% NaCl over a period of at least 15 minutes, per consecutive hemodialysis session
3 Adult Patients with Non-Dialysis Dependent-Chronic Kidney Disease (NDD-CKD) Administer Venofer 200 mg undiluted as a slow intravenous injection over 2 to 5 minutes or as an infusion of 200 mg in a maximum of 100 mL of 0. 9% NaCl over a period of 15 minutes. Administer on 5 different occasions over a 14 day period.
The recommended dose and frequency of Venofer (iron sucrose) injection for treating iron deficiency anemia are as follows:
- Adult Patients with Hemodialysis Dependent-Chronic Kidney Disease (HDD-CKD): 100 mg per consecutive hemodialysis session, administered as a slow intravenous injection over 2 to 5 minutes or as an infusion over at least 15 minutes.
- Adult Patients with Non-Dialysis Dependent-Chronic Kidney Disease (NDD-CKD): 200 mg on 5 different occasions over a 14 day period, administered as a slow intravenous injection over 2 to 5 minutes or as an infusion over 15 minutes. 2
From the Research
Venofer Injection Dosage and Frequency
The recommended dose and frequency of Venofer (iron sucrose) injection for treating iron deficiency anemia vary depending on the patient population and the severity of the condition.
- The dosage of Venofer is typically calculated based on the patient's iron deficiency, with a total dose ranging from 1000 mg to 2000 mg of elemental iron 3.
- The treatment can be administered as a single dose or divided into multiple doses, with a maximum daily dose of 200 mg to 400 mg of elemental iron 4.
- The frequency of administration can range from weekly to every 2-3 weeks, depending on the patient's response to treatment and the severity of their iron deficiency anemia 5, 6.
Patient-Specific Considerations
The dosage and frequency of Venofer may need to be adjusted based on individual patient factors, such as:
- Renal function: Patients with end-stage kidney disease may require more frequent dosing 5.
- Pregnancy: The recommended dose and frequency of Venofer may vary depending on the gestational age and severity of iron deficiency anemia 7.
- Inflammatory bowel disease: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease may require more frequent dosing to replenish iron stores 4.
Monitoring and Adjustments
Regular monitoring of hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels is essential to adjust the dosage and frequency of Venofer as needed 3, 4.