polysaccharide iron complex

Polysaccharide iron complex is an oral iron supplement consisting of elemental iron complexed with a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide, used for the treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. It was evaluated in the Phase 2 IRONOUT HF (Oral Iron Repletion Effects on Oxygen Uptake in Heart Failure) trial, led by investigator Adrian Hernandez and sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The trial investigated whether oral repletion at a dose of 150 mg twice daily for 16 weeks could improve exercise capacity, measured by peak oxygen uptake (VO2), in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and iron deficiency. The trial concluded that oral polysaccharide iron did not significantly improve exercise capacity or effectively replete iron stores compared to placebo, highlighting potential limitations of oral iron formulations in this specific patient population compared to intravenous alternatives.

Brand names

NiferexFerrex 150Ferrex150Ferrex-150Poly-IronIferex 150Iferex150Iferex-150

Other names

oral iron polysaccharidepolysaccharide-iron complex