Preliminary Report on an Iron-Sorbitol-Citric Acid Complex (Jectofer), a New Intramuscular Iron Preparation

One hundred and twenty-eight patients with iron deficiency anemia were treated with a new intramuscular iron preparation, iron-sorbitol-citric acid. One group of 10 patients received a total of 1000 mg. each of elemental iron intramuscularly. All obtained a rise in hemoglobin of over 2.1 g. %, an elevation of serum iron, and a reticulocyte response over 6%. A second larger group of subjects consisted of 113 prenatal and five gynecologic patients; these received an average total dose of 1050 mg. and 1020 mg., respectively, and the average increase in hemoglobin ranged from 1.6 g. % to 2.5 g. %.None of the patients developed significant side effects after injection or permanent staining at the site of injection. Three patients experienced a transient ache at the injection site, and three developed local urticaria-like reactions lasting 24 hours.This new preparation appears to be a safe and clinically effective therapeutic agent in situations in which parenteral iron is indicated.