Iron ions (Fe2+ and Fe3+) (Fe)

Iron is an essential trace element that cycles between the ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) oxidation states, serving as a critical cofactor for proteins involved in oxygen transport, such as hemoglobin and myoglobin, and electron transfer in the mitochondrial respiratory chain (NIH ODS, 2023). Maintaining iron homeostasis is vital, as iron is necessary for DNA synthesis and cellular proliferation, yet free iron can catalyze the formation of harmful reactive oxygen species via the Fenton reaction (StatPearls, 2023). Clinical conditions related to iron include iron deficiency anemia, which is the most common nutritional disorder worldwide, and iron overload syndromes like hemochromatosis or transfusion-related siderosis. Pharmacological agents either provide a source of iron to correct deficiencies or act as chelators to bind and remove excess iron from the body (PubMed, 2022). Monitoring iron status is typically performed using biomarkers like serum ferritin and transferrin saturation to guide therapeutic interventions and avoid toxicity. Effective management of iron levels is crucial in treating chronic kidney disease, hematologic disorders, and various systemic inflammatory conditions.

Other names

Ferrous ironFerric ironIron(II)Iron(III)Elemental iron

Drugs targeting iron ions function through two primary modalities: supplementation and chelation. Iron supplements (e.g., ferrous sulfate, ferric carboxymaltose) provide a source of elemental iron to replenish depleted systemic stores and support hemoglobin synthesis in anemia (StatPearls, 2023). Iron chelators (e.g., deferoxamine, deferasirox) bind to free or labile iron—specifically the ferric (Fe3+) form—to create stable, water-soluble complexes that are excreted through the urine or feces, thereby preventing oxidative tissue damage caused by iron overload (NIH, 2022).