Ferric Carboxymaltose
About
Ferric Carboxymaltose belongs to the group of anti-anaemic medicines used to treat iron deficiency anaemia in patients who are intolerant to oral iron preparations, have non-dialysis dependant chronic kidney disease, or require a quick build-up of iron stores. Iron deficiency anaemia (lack of red blood cells caused by too little iron in the body) is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells for carrying adequate oxygen to various body tissues.
Ferric Carboxymaltose contains ‘ferric carboxymaltose’, which acts as a source of iron and helps in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body and the production of red blood cells. Thereby, Ferric Carboxymaltose helps in treating anaemia. Ferric Carboxymaltose helps various vital processes in the body.
Ferric Carboxymaltose will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as nausea, flushing, dizziness, high blood pressure, and low levels of phosphorus in the blood. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Let your doctor know if you are taking any prescription, non-prescription drugs, or herbal products before starting Ferric Carboxymaltose. If you are known to be allergic to any of the components in Ferric Carboxymaltose, please inform your doctor. Consult a doctor before taking Ferric Carboxymaltose if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ferric Carboxymaltose is not recommended for children below 14 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Uses of Ferric Carboxymaltose
Medicinal Benefits
Ferric Carboxymaltose belongs to the group of anti-anaemic medicines used to treat iron deficiency anaemia in patients who are intolerant to oral iron preparations and have non-dialysis dependant chronic kidney disease. Ferric Carboxymaltose contains ‘ferric carboxymaltose’, which acts as a source of iron and helps in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body and the production of red blood cells. Thereby, Ferric Carboxymaltose helps in treating anaemia. Iron is necessary for various vital processes in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Ferric Carboxymaltose
- Nausea
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- High blood pressure
- Low levels of phosphorus in the blood
- Injection site reactions
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Ferric Carboxymaltose if you are allergic to any of its components, if you have anaemia not caused by iron deficiency, iron overload (excess iron in the body), or disturbances in iron utilisation. Inform your doctor if you have systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, severe asthma, eczema, infection, low phosphorus levels, high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ferric Carboxymaltose is not recommended for children below 14 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Let your doctor know if you are taking any prescription, non-prescription drugs, or herbal products before starting Ferric Carboxymaltose.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Oral iron preparations become less effective when taken along with Ferric Carboxymaltose.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have iron storage or absorption disease, high blood pressure, or hypophosphatemia (low phosphate levels).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown if alcohol interacts with Ferric Carboxymaltose, so please consult a doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionConsult your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will decide if Ferric Carboxymaltose can be taken during pregnancy or not.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if Ferric Carboxymaltose can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
safe if prescribedFerric Carboxymaltose is unlikely to affect your ability to drive. However, drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeFerric Carboxymaltose is not recommended for children below 14 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a well-balanced diet.
- Eat a healthy diet, especially green leafy vegetables, and do regular physical exercise.
- Limit junk food and stick to freshly prepared home-cooked meals.
- Increase your intake of fruits, especially fruits rich in iron like pomegranate, and citrus fruits.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
- Include leafy vegetables, poultry, seafood, beans, nuts, seeds, meat and fortified food in your diet.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure and phosphorus levels whilst on treatment with Ferric Carboxymaltose is advised.
- Ferric Carboxymaltose might cause blackening/darkening of the stools and can interfere with test results. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Ferric Carboxymaltose if you are having tests on your stools.
- Regular blood tests while taking Ferric Carboxymaltose are advised.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaemia: Anaemia is the decrease in the red blood cells or haemoglobin concentration in the blood or the lowered ability to carry oxygen. It is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to various body tissues. If the body has too little iron, it cannot make enough haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the main protein in the red blood cells, responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Anaemia can be caused by blood loss due to ulcers, haemorrhoids, stomach inflammation, menstruation, or problems with bone marrow. Symptoms include tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, light-headedness, pale skin, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat.
FAQs
Ferric Carboxymaltose acts as a source of iron and helps in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body and the production of red blood cells. Thereby, Ferric Carboxymaltose helps in treating anaemia.
Ferric Carboxymaltose might cause hypophosphatemia (low phosphorus levels). Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms such as severe tiredness, bone or muscle pain, as these could be a sign of low phosphorus levels. Regular monitoring of phosphorus levels whilst on treatment with Ferric Carboxymaltose is advised.
Consult your doctor if you have hypertension as Ferric Carboxymaltose might cause high blood pressure, sometimes accompanied by dizziness, facial flushing, or nausea. Your doctor will monitor for signs and symptoms of hypertension while on treatment with Ferric Carboxymaltose.
Ferric Carboxymaltose might cause the stools to appear darker than usual; this is due to the elimination of unabsorbed iron. Do not worry, as it is normal and harmless. Consult a doctor if this bothers you or if you notice blood in your stools.
Oral iron preparations will be less effective when taken along with Ferric Carboxymaltose. Inform your doctor if you are taking oral iron preparations or any supplements.
