Iron Isomaltoside
About Iron Isomaltoside
Iron Isomaltoside belongs to the group of anti-anaemic medicines used to treat iron deficiency anaemia in patients who are intolerant to oral iron, in those who require iron very quickly to build up the iron stores. Iron deficiency anaemia (lack of red blood cells caused by too little iron in the body) is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to various body tissues.
Iron Isomaltoside contains ‘iron isomaltoside’, which acts as a source of iron and helps in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body and the production of red blood cells. Thereby, Iron Isomaltoside helps in treating anaemia. Iron is necessary for various vital processes in the body.
Iron Isomaltoside will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as nausea, rash, and injection site reactions. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Let your doctor know if you are taking any prescription, non-prescription drugs, or herbal products before starting Iron Isomaltoside. If you are known to be allergic to any of the components in Iron Isomaltoside, please inform your doctor. Consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Iron Isomaltoside is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Uses of Iron Isomaltoside
Medicinal Benefits
Iron Isomaltoside belongs to the group of anti-anaemic medicines used to treat iron deficiency anaemia in patients who are intolerant to oral iron preparations and those who require iron very quickly to build up the iron stores. Iron Isomaltoside acts as a source of iron and helps in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body and the production of red blood cells. Thereby, Iron Isomaltoside helps in treating anaemia. Iron is necessary for various vital processes in the body.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Iron Isomaltoside
- Nausea
- Rash
- Injection site reactions
Drug Warnings
Do not take Iron Isomaltoside if you are allergic to any of its contents, if you have anaemia not caused due to iron deficiency, iron overload (excess iron in the body), liver cirrhosis, or disturbances in iron utilisation. Inform your doctor if you have systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, severe asthma, eczema, bacterial infection, low phosphorus levels, high/low blood pressure, kidney or liver problems. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Iron Isomaltoside is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Let your doctor know if you are taking any prescription, non-prescription drugs, or herbal products before starting Iron Isomaltoside.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have iron storage/absorption disease or liver cirrhosis.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown if alcohol interacts with Iron Isomaltoside, so please consult a doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionConsult your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will decide if Iron Isomaltoside can be taken during pregnancy or not.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if Iron Isomaltoside can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionIt is not known if Iron Isomaltoside affects your ability to drive. Drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeIron Isomaltoside is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow a well-balanced diet.
- Eat a healthy diet, especially green leafy vegetables, and do regular physical exercise.
- Limit junk food items from the outside and stick to freshly prepared home-cooked meals.
- Increase intake of fruits in the diet especially fruits rich in iron like pomegranate, and citrus fruits.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
- Include leafy vegetables, poultry, seafood, beans, nuts, seeds, meat and fortified food in your diet.
Special Advise
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure and phosphorus levels whilst on treatment with Iron Isomaltoside is advised.
- Iron Isomaltoside might cause blackening/darkening of the stools and can interfere with test results. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Iron Isomaltoside if you have tests on your stools.
- Iron Isomaltoside might reduce the absorption of oral iron preparations. Inform your doctor if you are taking oral iron preparations.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaemia: Anaemia is the decrease in the red blood cells or haemoglobin concentration in the blood or the lowered ability to carry oxygen. It is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to various body tissues. If the body has too little iron, it cannot make enough haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the main protein in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Anaemia can be caused by blood loss due to ulcers, haemorrhoids, stomach inflammation, menstruation, or problems with bone marrow. Symptoms include tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, light-headedness, pale skin, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat.
FAQs
Iron Isomaltoside is used to treat iron deficiency anaemia in patients who are intolerant to oral iron, and in those who require iron very quickly to build up the iron stores.
Iron Isomaltoside acts as a source of iron and helps in the transportation of oxygen throughout the body and the production of red blood cells. Thereby, Iron Isomaltoside helps in treating anaemia.
Iron Isomaltoside might cause hypophosphatemia (low phosphorus levels). Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms such as severe tiredness, bone or muscle pain, as these could be a sign of low phosphorus levels. Regular monitoring of phosphorus levels whilst on treatment with Iron Isomaltoside is advised.
Consult your doctor if you have hypertension as Iron Isomaltoside might sometimes cause low or high blood pressure.
Iron Isomaltoside might cause the stools to appear darker than usual; this is due to the elimination of unabsorbed iron. Do not worry, as it is normal and harmless. Consult a doctor if this bothers you or if you notice blood in stools.
Iron Isomaltoside might reduce the absorption of oral iron. Inform your doctor if you are taking oral iron preparations or any supplements.
You are recommended to take Iron Isomaltoside for as long as it is advised by your doctor for effective results. If your symptoms continue or worsen, seek further advice from your doctor.
Iron Isomaltoside is administered by a healthcare professional. Do not self-administer.
In addition to Iron Isomaltoside, you can increase iron levels with iron-rich foods like red meat, seafood, beans, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals. Dried fruits like raisins and apricots also help, along with vitamin C-rich foods that enhance iron absorption. Combining these dietary choices with supplements supports better iron levels.
Iron Isomaltoside can be taken with vitamin C, vitamin D, multivitamins, and folic acid. Vitamin C helps enhance the absorption of iron in the body. However, it is advisable to consult your doctor before combining Iron Isomaltoside with other medications to avoid potential interactions.
You are not recommended to take Iron Isomaltoside with zinc as it may affect the absorption of zinc if taken together. Therefore, avoid combining Iron Isomaltoside with zinc unless advised by a doctor. Do not self-medicate.
You are recommended to consult a doctor before taking Iron Isomaltoside with paracetamol or other medicines to avoid potential interactions.
Iron Isomaltoside is not generally associated with weight gain as a direct side effect. However, since individual responses may differ, it is advisable to consult your doctor if you experience any unexpected weight changes while receiving Iron Isomaltoside.
Iron Isomaltoside can cause constipation or acne as a side effect. These are among the more commonly reported reactions to the treatment. If you experience any of these issues, consult your doctor for advice.
Iron Isomaltoside causes side effects such as nausea, rash, and reactions near the injection site. However, these side effects are temporary and do not require any medical attention, as they will gradually reduce over time. Contact a doctor, if these side effects continue for longer durations.
