What is the maximum daily dosing for Ferrex 150 (iron supplement)?

Maximum Daily Dosing for Ferrex 150

The maximum daily dosing for Ferrex 150 is 150 mg of elemental iron per day, which is typically administered as a single tablet once daily. 1

Ferrex 150 Composition and Dosing

• Ferrex 150 is a polysaccharide-iron complex that provides 150 mg of elemental iron per tablet 1
• It is designed to be taken once daily, as this amount of elemental iron is sufficient for most patients with iron deficiency 1, 2
• The 150 mg elemental iron dose falls within the recommended range of oral iron supplementation (100-200 mg elemental iron per day) for adults with iron deficiency 1

Dosing Considerations

• For chronic kidney disease patients, the recommended oral iron dosage is 200 mg of elemental iron per day, divided into 2-3 doses 1
• For most adults with iron deficiency anemia, a once-daily dose of 50-100 mg of elemental iron may be sufficient and better tolerated 1, 3
• Recent evidence suggests that alternate-day dosing may improve iron absorption compared to daily dosing due to hepcidin regulation 3, 4

Administration Recommendations

• Oral iron is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach 1
• Morning administration may be preferable to afternoon or evening dosing due to circadian variations in hepcidin levels 3
• Taking iron supplements with vitamin C can enhance absorption 1
• Dividing doses throughout the day does not improve absorption and may actually reduce it due to hepcidin stimulation 4

Monitoring Response

• Hemoglobin should be checked after 4 weeks of therapy to assess response 1, 2
• A rise in hemoglobin of at least 10 g/L after 2 weeks of daily oral iron therapy predicts a sustained response 1
• If there is inadequate response after 4 weeks, alternative approaches should be considered 2

Side Effects and Tolerability

• Gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, constipation, diarrhea) are common with oral iron supplements 1
• Side effects are dose-dependent, with higher doses causing more adverse effects 1
• If side effects occur, options include:
  • Reducing the dose to improve tolerability 1
  • Taking with food (though this may reduce absorption) 1
  • Switching to alternate-day dosing 3, 4
  • Considering parenteral iron if oral therapy is not tolerated 1

Duration of Therapy

• Iron supplementation should continue for 2-3 months after normalization of hemoglobin to replenish iron stores 1
• Regular monitoring is recommended after treatment completion to detect recurrent iron deficiency 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Exceeding 100 mg elemental iron per day does not necessarily improve efficacy but may increase side effects 2
• Failing to identify and treat the underlying cause of iron deficiency while supplementing iron 2
• Discontinuing therapy too soon after hemoglobin normalization, before iron stores are replenished 1
• Splitting doses throughout the day, which may reduce overall iron absorption due to hepcidin stimulation 3, 4