Ferrum Lek is used to treat anemia and iron deficiency in adults and children, including infants, and, in addition, during pregnancy and in the lactation period. It is an antianemic agent in which iron is contained in the form of a complex compound of polymaltosate hydroxide.
Description of the drug
For Ferrum Lek ampoules, the instructions for use indicate that the molecular weight of this complex is quite large, and its diffusion, passing through the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal system, is forty times slower compared to ferrous iron. The complex is stable without releasing iron ions under physiological conditions. The active element of the multi-core zones of the system is part of a structure that is similar to the natural compound of iron, the so-called ferritin. Due to the presence of such similarities, the main element of the presented complex can be absorbed only through active absorption.
Protein-binding proteins located on the surface of the intestinal epithelium completely absorb iron through targeted competitive exchange of ligands. The absorbed type of substance is deposited mainly in the liver, where further binding to ferritin occurs. Later in the bone marrow, it becomes part of hemoglobin. The complex hydroxide polymaltosate does not differ in the prooxidant properties that are typical for iron layers. Thus, the main active ingredient in this drug is polymaltosate hydroxide along with excipients. This confirms the instructions for use for Ferrum Lek ampoules.
In this preparation, iron is contained in the form of a complex compound of a polyisomaltosate hydroxide. Such a macromolecular type complex does not provoke the release of iron in the form of free ions. The product is similar in its structural structure to the natural compound of the element, namely ferritin. This hydroxide is not characterized by the possession of prooxidant characteristics that are inherent in many salts of this microelement.
This is also confirmed by the "Ferrum Lek" ampoules in ampoules instructions for use and reviews.
Iron, which is part of the composition, is able to quickly make up for the deficiency of the corresponding element in the human body, including against the background of pronounced iron deficiency anemia, thus restoring the level of hemoglobin necessary for normal life activity.
When using the product, a gradual process of regression of the clinical symptoms of iron deficiency, such as fatigue, weakness and dizziness along with tachycardia and soreness, as well as dry skin, is carried out.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
As the instructions for use indicate to Ferrum Lek ampoules, the absorption of iron, which is measured by the level of hemoglobin in erythrocytes, is inversely proportional to the dose taken, that is, the higher the quantity, the lower the corresponding process. There is a statistically negative correlation between the level of deficiency of a given substance and its presence, since the greater the lack of iron, the better the absorption. The substance is absorbed to the greatest extent in the duodenum as well as the jejunum. The remaining trace element is excreted in the feces. Its excretion, along with the separating epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal system and skin, as well as with sweat, urine and bile, is approximately equal to one milligram of iron per day. In the female body, during the menstrual cycles, an additional loss of an important trace element is carried out, which, of course, must be taken into account. Analogues of Ferrum Lek in ampoules will be presented below.
It should be noted that immediately after the intramuscular injection of the drug, it enters the bloodstream very quickly. So, fifteen percent of the dose falls after fifteen minutes.
Indications for use of Ferrum Lek
For Ferrum Lek ampoules, the instructions for use indicate that the drug is prescribed in the following cases:
- latent type iron deficiency therapy;
- iron deficiency anemia treatment;
- prevention of a deficiency of this microelement during pregnancy;
- situations against which treatment with iron-containing preparations for internal administration is ineffective or impracticable, for example, for injection form.
Graduation form “Ferrum Lek” in ampoules
The drug in the form of a solution can be administered exclusively intramuscularly. In no case should you allow intravenous administration of the drug. This confirms the instructions for Ferrum Lek ampoules.
Before using the first therapeutic dose, a person should enter a test amount of the product, which will be equal to half the contents of one ampoule, which is twenty-five to fifty milligrams of a microelement. If there are no adverse reactions from the body, the remainder of the initial daily dose is added within fifteen minutes after administration.
The dosage of Ferrum Lek in ampoules is selected individually, depending on the total iron deficiency. Against the background of a known amount of lost blood, intramuscular administration of two ampoules leads to an increase in hemoglobin level, which will be equal to the equivalent of one blood unit.
Adults and elderly people are prescribed one hundred to two hundred milligrams, that is, from one to two ampoules, depending on their hemoglobin level in the blood. The maximum daily dose for children is expressed in seven milligrams per kilogram of the child’s weight.
The rules of drug administration
The drug "Ferrum Lek" in ampoules must be administered deeply intramuscularly alternately in the left and right buttocks. In order to reduce pain, as well as avoid staining the skin, it is advisable to follow the rules below:
- the drug is injected into the upper outer region of the buttock, using a five to six centimeter long needle;
- before the injection process after disinfection of the skin, it is necessary to move the subcutaneous tissue into the lower part by two centimeters in order to prevent possible leakage of the product;
- immediately after the introduction of the substance, subcutaneous tissues must be emptied, and the injection site itself must be held in place for one minute by pressing, pressing;
- Before using a solution intended for intramuscular injection, it is important to carefully examine the ampoules , it is required to use only those that contain a homogeneous solution without any precipitate;
- a solution for intramuscular injection is always administered immediately after opening the vessel.
Likely side effects
As the instructions to Ferrum Lek indicate in ampoules, as a result of the body receiving an excess content of the substance in general well-being, a feeling of heaviness or overflow may occur, and, in addition, pressure in the epigastric region. Quite often in such situations, nausea, constipation and diarrhea appear, while stool staining in dark color can be noted - the phenomenon of black stool, which is explained by the removal of an unabsorbed part of the iron and is not characterized by clinical significance.
We emphasize once again that Ferrum Lek is not used intravenously in ampoules.
Contraindications
"Ferrum Lek" is contraindicated for use with:
- excess iron in the body, for example, against the background of hemochromatosis;
- with violations of iron utilization, in this case we are talking about anemia, which is caused by lead intoxication or the siderohrest character of this pathology;
- with anemia that is not associated with a lack of iron, for example, hemolytic and megaloblastic, caused by a deficiency of cyanocobalamin;
- with Osler-Randu-Weber syndrome;
- against the background of infectious diseases of the kidneys, proceeding in acute stages;
- in case of uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism;
- the presence of decompensated cirrhosis of the liver;
- with infectious hepatitis;
- during the first trimester of pregnancy;
- due to hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
As indicated by the instructions for use with Ferrum Lek in ampoules, it is administered intramuscularly to pregnant and lactating women.
In the process of controlled studies in the framework of the use of the drug in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, no negative effect on the body of the mother and her fetus was noted. There were also no harmful effects on the fetus during the period of use of the drug in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Use in children
Doctors consider it possible to use the drug according to the indications and doses, which take into account the age of the patient. For children under twelve years of age, due to the need to prescribe a small amount of dosage, it is preferable to use it in the form of a syrup.
At Ferrum Lek in ampoules, a prescription is required.
Special instructions for use
It should be noted that chewable tablets, as well as syrup, do not stain tooth enamel. The drug, dispensed in injectable form, must be used exclusively in a hospital setting. If Ferrum Lek is prescribed to patients with diabetes, it is important to consider that one chewable tablet contains a milligram of syrup.
Against the background of anemia caused by infectious or malignant diseases, iron can accumulate in the reticuloendothelial system, from where it can mobilize and then be utilized only after the complete cure of the corresponding disease. The intake of a trace element will not affect the results of fecal occult blood tests.
Interaction with other drugs and effects on driving ability
This drug does not have any effect on the person’s ability to the necessary concentration of attention, thus allowing, without fear, to drive a vehicle.
Means "Ferrum Lek", intended for intramuscular injection, can not be used in parallel with the same drug for oral administration. The simultaneous use of ACE inhibitors can enhance the systemic effects of parenteral agents containing iron.
Ferrum Lek in ampoules: reviews
Among the reviews about the drug "Ferrum Lek", which are found on the Internet, there are very common reports of the appearance of so-called bruises that form after intramuscular injection of the drug into the body. People write that such formations do not take place for quite a long time.
Commenting on these complaints, the developers do not consider the aforementioned drawback to be a side effect, explaining this by the fact that the likelihood of such phenomena directly depends on the correct and correct administration of the drug. In order to avoid bruising, you should simply strictly adhere to all the instructions given in the annotation.
Reviews on the use of Ferrum Lek for children
Approximately eighty percent of Ferrum Lek reviews for children are positive, which can be explained by the high effectiveness of this product and its easy tolerance by young patients, as well as ease of use.
Parents write that many children really like the taste of syrup, so they use it for treatment with great pleasure.
As for the negative reviews, almost all of them are due to all sorts of subjective circumstances that were the reason for the impossibility of using the drug. In most cases, parents were forced to stop giving Ferrum Lek, as their children, unlike the rest of the half, on the contrary, did not like the taste of the syrup. Another reason for dissatisfied parental feedback was the likelihood of constipation in small patients.
Reviews of pregnant women about Ferrum Lek
Most of the reviews about Ferrum Lek against the background of pregnancy in women are also positive. Women write that they like the effectiveness of the drug, the need to take it only once a day, and also pleases its pleasant taste.
In addition, it is noted that Ferrum Lek increased the level of hemoglobin even against the background of such situations when the initial pregnancy in women was accompanied by anemia.
Negative reviews about Ferrum Lek in isolated examples are associated with its ineffective effect. But mainly a negative precipitate was manifested due to subjective factors, for example, due to the fact that someone did not like the taste, someone caused nausea or constipation due to its use. Thus, most negative reviews contain information related to the side effects of this drug.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the “Ferrum Lek” medication is by far the most frequently prescribed by doctors means for replenishing iron in the body of both children and adult patients, as well as as a prophylaxis of the deficiency of this microelement during pregnancy.
Ferrum Lek: cheap analogues in ampoules
Similar in composition and therapeutic effect for the Ferrum Lek solution are the preparations Polymaltose Iron, Maltofer, Fenyuls Complex, and Ferry.