Iron Sucrose

Parenteral repletion becomes necessary when oral iron is not tolerated or not absorbed, and iron sucrose is one of the intravenous preparations used in that situation. Chronic kidney disease is the setting in which it is most often required, since both absorption and utilisation of oral iron are impaired in that population. The sucrose carrier stabilises the iron core and releases it in a controlled manner, a design associated with a lower risk of hypersensitivity reaction than some earlier injectable iron products. Treatment aims to rebuild haemoglobin concentration and replenish tissue iron stores in iron deficiency anaemia. The preparation is an approved agent that has reached the final phase of clinical development.