Comparison of short-term efficacy of iron sucrose with those of ferric chloride in hemodialysis patients: An open-label study

Abstract

Background: It is intriguing and imperative that the comparison of the iron preparations in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Th is study aimed to observe the short-term effi cacy of parenteral iron sucrose and ferric chloride in HD patients. Materials and Methods: This was a consecutive 10-week single-blind study in Taiwan. An intravenous iron supplement of 100 mg/week was administered as an infusion in 100 ml of normal saline, until a total dose of 1000 mg was achieved. Th e primary outcome was evaluated by the changes in serum hematocrit (Hct) levels. Th e changes in serum Hct and iron indices were evaluated every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. Th e results were collected from 21 April to 4 July 2013. Results: A total of 56 HD patients completed the study. Subjects were randomized into an iron sucrose group (26 patients) and a ferric chloride group (30 patients). Between the two treatment groups, there were no statistically signifi cant diff erences in the change in serum Hct, ferritin, iron, or total iron binding capacity (P > 0.05). In the iron sucrose group, the increase in Hct levels was statistically signifi cant at weeks 4, 8, and 10. In the ferric chloride group, the increase in Hct levels was statistically signifi cant at week 8. No obvious major side eff ects were observed in both groups. Conclusion: In the
study subjects, parenteral iron sucrose was as eff ective and safe as ferric chloride for treating anemia in HD patients.

Key words: Anemia, ferric chloride, hemodialysis, intravenous iron, iron sucrose