From the Guidelines
Ferric carboxymaltose, not methyl carboxymaltose, is the recognized pharmaceutical compound used to treat iron deficiency anemia, and it is typically administered as an intravenous infusion at doses of 750-1000 mg, depending on the patient's weight and hemoglobin level, with a recommended infusion duration of at least 15 minutes. The standard administration involves diluting it in 0.9% sodium chloride solution and infusing over at least 15 minutes (for doses up to 1000 mg) 1. It should not be mixed with other medications or administered during the same infusion as other drugs.
Key Administration Details
- The maximum recommended cumulative dose of ferric carboxymaltose is 1000 mg iron (20 mL FCM)/week 1.
- Patients should be observed for adverse effects for at least 30 min following each IV injection 1.
- After IV administration of the correction dose, iron status should be re-evaluated at 3 months 1.
Adverse Reactions and Considerations
- Common adverse reactions include headache, nausea, hypertension, dizziness, and injection site reactions.
- Hypophosphatemia can occur and should be monitored, particularly with repeated dosing 1.
- Hypersensitivity reactions, though rare, can be serious and require immediate medical attention.
- The drug is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to ferric carboxymaltose or any of its components, and in patients with iron overload.
Treatment Effect
- Treatment effect should be evident within 1-2 weeks with hemoglobin levels typically normalizing within 4-6 weeks after administration.
Compatible Fluids
- Ferric carboxymaltose can be diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride solution for infusion 1.
Duration of Infusion
- The recommended infusion duration is at least 15 minutes (for doses up to 1000 mg) 1.
From the Research
Methyl Carboxymaltose Information
- There is no direct information available on Methyl carboxymaltose in the provided studies.
- However, the studies provide information on Ferric carboxymaltose, which is a similar compound.
Doses and Method of Administration
- Ferric carboxymaltose can be administered intravenously in a single high-dose infusion of up to 1000 mg of iron over a short period of ≤ 15 minutes 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The dose can be repeated at 1-week intervals until the calculated total iron replacement dose is reached 2.
Adverse Reactions
- Ferric carboxymaltose is generally well tolerated, with most drug-related adverse events considered to be mild to moderate in severity 2, 6, 5.
- Commonly reported drug-related adverse events include headache, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, rash, and injection-site reactions 2, 6.
- The incidence of drug-related adverse events in patients receiving intravenous ferric carboxymaltose is generally similar to that in patients receiving oral ferrous sulfate 2.