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Although the history of dextran causes some nervousness about its use, one UK hospital has found it a convenient, safe and effective alternative to weekly IV iron dosing for some patient groups
Kirsten Smith
BSc(Hons) DipPharm MRPharmS
Senior Pharmacist, Renal Services
Queen Margaret Hospital
Dunfermline
Aileen Currie
BSc(Hons) MRPharmS
Senior Pharmacist, Renal Services
Crosshouse Hospital
Kilmarnock
UK
Intravenous iron is essential in most patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in order to maintain haemoglobin within the UK Renal Association,(1) European(2) and US(3) standards.
Iron dextran first became available as a high-molecular-weight product, Imferon, in the USA and the UK for IM injection in 1955 and for IV injection in 1971.(4) It was discontinued worldwide in 1996 due to an increased risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis. A lower-molecular-weight formulation was developed and now two iron dextran preparations are available in the USA and Canada and one in Europe
