Iron sucrose 100mg/5ml solution for injection vials
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Iron sucrose
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Venofer 100mg/5ml solution for injection vials
This is the NHS Drug Tariff indicative price used for reimbursement purposes. It may not reflect the price paid by patients or pharmacies.
View full Drug TariffSource: NHS Drug Tariff via NHSBSA. Derived from dm+d VMPP (Virtual Medicinal Product Pack) pricing data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
100 mg
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via the NHS dm+d supplementary mapping files (NHSBSA). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
NHS prescribing volume and spending trends
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
NICE clinical guidance(2)
Chronic heart failure in adults: diagnosis and management (NG106)
Chronic kidney disease: assessment and management (NG203)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. Shortage and safety information sourced from MHRA drug safety updates (gov.uk, Crown Copyright under OGL v3.0).
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing the 50 most relevant studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 13 · Randomised trials: 36 · 2000–2026
Showing the 50 most relevant studies, sorted by most relevant.
Alaa Qassim, B. Mol, R. Grivell, et al.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2018
- Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
- Ferric Compounds
Ambily Jose, R. Mahey, J. Sharma, et al.
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2019
- Pregnancy Complications
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
- Iron
Srimathi G, Revathy R, Bagepally BS, et al.
2024
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
- Ferric Compounds
- Iron
Background objectivesIron deficiency anaemia (IDA) during pregnancy is treated with oral and parenteral iron. The objective of this review was to compare the clinical effectiveness, safety, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of intravenous (iv) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) and iv iron sucrose (IS) in treating IDA in pregnancy.MethodsThe Department of Health Research funded this study. PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Scopus were searched to include studies published till November 2022. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022306092). Pregnant women (15-49 yr) in second and third trimesters, diagnosed with moderate-to-severe iron deficiency anaemia, treated with either of the drugs were included. The included studies were critically assessed using appropriate tools. We conducted a qualitative synthesis of the studies and meta-analysis for improvement in haematological parameters and incidence of adverse events.ResultsA total of 18 studies were included. The risk of bias was low to moderate. A rise in haemoglobin up to four weeks was higher with FCM than IS by 0.57 (0.24, 0.9) g/dl. Intravenous FCM is associated with fewer adverse events than IS [pooled odds ratio: 0.5 (0.32, 0.79)]. The included studies had limited evidence on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes after iv iron treatment.Interpretation conclusionsIntravenous FCM is effective and safer than intravenous IS in terms of haematological parameters, in treating IDA in pregnancy. Further research is required on the effects of iv FCM and iv IS on the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes when used for treating IDA in pregnancy.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-SA
Tanrıverdi LH, Sarıcı A
2025
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
- Ferric Compounds
- Maltose
ObjectiveThis study comprehensively compares the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of two commonly used intravenous iron preparations, ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) and iron sucrose (IS), in adult patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA).Materials and methodsA systematic literature search was conducted across the PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up to January 1, 2024, to identify randomized controlled trials directly comparing FCM and IS treatments in adult patients with IDA. The primary outcome of interest was change in hemoglobin (Hb) levels during follow-up. Meta-analyses were conducted with inverse variance random effects models.ResultsFourteen trials were included in the study, with a total of 4757 patients. FCM resulted in a non-significant increase in Hb levels (mean difference [MD]: 0.45 g/dL, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08 to 0.83, p=0.02) and ferritin levels (MD: 37.32 ng/mL, 95% CI: 18.98 to 55.65, pConclusionTen studies showed some concerns of risk of bias (RoB) and four studies had a high RoB for the change in Hb levels during follow-up. The lack of standardized definitions for hypersensitivity reactions and variability in dosing protocols and follow-up durations across studies may affect the generalizability of our safety findings.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Mandal S, Taylor M, Mohan A, et al.
2026
Kshatri AHS, Arif S, Yousaf S, et al.
2026
Iron deficiency is a distinct comorbidity in patients with heart failure (HF), independent of anemia, and is associated with reduced functional capacity and increased hospitalization and mortality. Randomized trials of intravenous (IV) iron repletion have yielded directionally consistent but incompletely aligned results, prompting numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses that largely draw on the same underlying trials. We performed an umbrella review to consolidate this evidence base and clarify the strength and consistency of treatment effects across outcomes. Across the pooled reviews, IV iron, predominantly ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), reduced the composite risk of HF hospitalization and cardiovascular death in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), an effect attributable chiefly to fewer hospitalizations rather than a survival benefit, which remained non-significant throughout. Functional capacity, symptom class, and quality of life improved consistently. Safety appeared favorable among the outcomes formally assessed, though fewer than half of the included reviews performed a dedicated statistical safety analysis, and known formulation-specific risks such as hypophosphatemia were not evaluated in this literature. The treatment effect appeared attenuated in the one review restricted to acute heart failure, and possible differences in benefit by sex and by baseline iron-transport capacity emerged as hypothesis-generating candidate explanations for residual heterogeneity, warranting prospective confirmation rather than immediate clinical application. Evidence was drawn predominantly from FCM trials, with more limited supporting data for ferric derisomaltose and minimal data for other formulations; findings should not be extrapolated beyond HFrEF, as HF with preserved ejection fraction populations were not separately represented in this literature. Because the available reviews draw heavily on a shared and aging set of trials (corrected covered area of 31.9%, indicating very high primary-study overlap), this synthesis should be regarded as clarifying rather than expanding the evidence base. Taken together, IV iron repletion, particularly with FCM, in iron-deficient HFrEF reduces hospitalizations and improves quality of life, but a mortality benefit has not been established, underscoring the need for adequately powered trials designed specifically to resolve this question.
Abstract licence: CC BY
R. Derman, E. Roman, M. Modiano, et al.
American Journal of Hematology, 2017
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
- Ferric Compounds
- Glucaric Acid
Shi L, Zhao Y, Rao A
2023
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
- Ferric Compounds
- Disaccharides
IntroductionThe efficacy of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose to treat iron deficiency anemia remains controversial. We conduct this meta-analysis to explore the influence of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose on iron deficiency anemia.MethodsWe have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through March 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of iron isomaltoside ferumoxytol versus iron sucrose on iron deficiency anemia. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model.ResultsFour RCTs involving 3892 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with iron sucrose for iron deficiency anemia, iron isomaltoside showed similar change of Hb (SMD=0.14; 95% CI=-0.07 to 0.35; P=0.18), Hb responder (SMD=1.41; 95% CI=0.71 to 2.81; P=0.33), serum ferritin (SMD=15.13; 95% CI=-23.45 to 53.71; P=0.44), and transferrin saturation (SMD=1.20; 95% CI=-1.08 to 3.47; P=0.30). However, iron isomaltoside further improved serum-ferritin at week 2 than iron sucrose (SMD=204.79; 95% CI=38.23 to 371.35; P=0.02).ConclusionsIron isomaltoside ferumoxytol showed comparable efficacy to iron sucrose for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Patel PN, Adeeb M, Asjad SJ, et al.
2025
Background Iron deficiency affects nearly half of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and is associated with impaired functional capacity, recurrent hospitalizations, and increased mortality. Intravenous iron therapy improves exercise tolerance, but the comparative effectiveness of different formulations remains uncertain. Objectives To compare the efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose, ferric derisomaltose, and iron sucrose in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency using a network meta-analysis. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science through August 2025 for randomized controlled trials of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose, ferric derisomaltose, or iron sucrose versus placebo. Fifteen randomized controlled trials published between 2007 and 2025 enrolling 7,761 patients were included. The primary outcomes were hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality. Secondary outcomes included change in six-minute walk distance, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation. A frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis was performed, and treatment rankings were assessed using surface under the cumulative ranking curve probabilities. Results Twelve trials reported hospitalization for heart failure, showing significant reduction with ferric carboxymaltose (risk ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.69–0.92) and nonsignificant trends with ferric derisomaltose (0.80, 0.61–1.04) and iron sucrose (0.41, 0.15–1.07). No formulation reduced all-cause or cardiovascular mortality. Functional capacity improved with all formulations (mean difference +21.1 to +54.0 meters versus placebo), though heterogeneity was high. Ferritin and transferrin saturation increased significantly across all formulations, with the largest ferritin gain from ferric derisomaltose (+329 µg/L) and the most consistent transferrin saturation improvement from ferric carboxymaltose (+7.1%). Conclusions In patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency, intravenous iron therapy—particularly ferric carboxymaltose—reduces hospitalization for heart failure, improves functional capacity, and corrects iron indices. Mortality benefits remain uncertain. These findings support guideline-endorsed use of intravenous iron, with ferric carboxymaltose as the best-studied option, while further outcome data for ferric derisomaltose and iron sucrose are needed.
Abstract licence: CC BY
M. Auerbach, D. Henry, R. Derman, et al.
American Journal of Hematology, 2019
- Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
- Ferric Compounds
- Disaccharides
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
6 hours
Mechanism
Following intravenous administration, iron sucrose is dissociated into iron and…
Food interactions
1 warning
Human targets
None mapped
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
10 min
Half-life
6 hours
Protein binding
Volume of distribution
7.3 L
Metabolism
Elimination
5%
While,…
Clearance
20.5 ml/min
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Known interactions with other medicines. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 131 interactions
Monitor iron toxicity through the periodic evaluation of lab works which monitor the body concentration of iron. Lab monitoring of the following parameters: transferrin saturation, serum ferritin concentrations, hemoglobin, and hematocrit could be helpful to avoid iron overload.
Severe allergic symptoms include: rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); burning or pain at the injection site; burning, numbness, or tingling; chest pain; fainting; loss of consciousness; severe or persistent dizziness, headache, or light-headedness; seizures; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet.
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
While, renal elimination of sucrose accounts for 68-75% of the administered dose after 4 and 24 hours respectively.
ATC B03AB02
ATC V03AE05
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Iron sucrose
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite:
- DrugBank 6.02024Recommended citationKnox C., Wilson M., Klinger C.M., et alDrugBank 6.0: the DrugBank Knowledgebase for 2024Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Jan 552(D1):D1265-D1275
- DrugBank 5.02018Wishart D.S., Feunang Y.D., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank 5.0: a major update to the DrugBank database for 2018Nucleic Acids Res. 2017 Nov 846(D1):D1074-D1082
- DrugBank 4.02014Law V., Knox C., Djoumbou Y., et alDrugBank 4.0: shedding new light on drug metabolismNucleic Acids Res. 2014 Jan 142(1):D1091-7
- DrugBank 3.02011Knox C., Law V., Jewison T., et alDrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugsNucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan39(Database issue):D1035-41
- DrugBank 2.02008Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank: a knowledgebase for drugs, drug actions and drug targets.Nucleic Acids Research2008 Jan36(Database issue):D901-6
- DrugBank 1.02006Wishart D.S., Knox C., Guo A.C., et alDrugBank: a comprehensive resource for in silico drug discovery and exploration.Nucleic Acids Research2006 Jan 134(Database issue):D668-72