A comparative study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of single dose intravenous iron carboxymaltose vs multidose iron sucrose in postpartum cases of severe iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of single dose intravenous iron carboxymaltose vs multidose iron sucrose in postpartum cases of severe iron deficiency anemia. Materials and methods: One hundred cases with iron deficiency anemia in postpartum patient were selected from postpartum wards and assigned in two groups of 50 each. In group A, iron carboxymaltose injection administered by intravenous infusion upto a maximum single dose of 20 ml of iron carboxymaltose injection (1000 mg of iron). In group B Iron sucrose was given as 200 mg elemental iron (2 ampules of 5 ml) in 100 ml of 0.9% normal saline infusion over 15 minute alternate days up to 5 days. All the patients were monitored for rise in hemoglobin level at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of iron therapy, adverse effect and rise in hematological parameter at 4 weeks. Results: In group A, mean Hb level rise is 3.95 g/dl and in group B, it is 3.32 g/dl at 4 weeks of initial therapy. In group A, 100% cases achieved target Hb at 12 weeks after therapy while in group B 98% cases achieved target Hb at 12 weeks after therapy. In group A, 12% cases have grade 1 adverse reaction while in group B, 20% cases have adverse reaction. Conclusion: Administration of intravenous iron has a good clinical result, with minimum adverse reactions. Thus, we can conclude that intravenous iron carboxymaltose therapy is safe, convenient, more effective and faster acting than intravenous iron sucrose for treatment of severe iron deficiency anemia in postpartum patient.