A Comparative Study Of Efficacy And Safety Of Iron Polymaltose Complex Versus Ferrous Sulphate In Female Patients with Iron deficiency

Abstract

Introduction: According to the WHO, iron deficiency is the most common form of malnutrition in the world. In India, 45% adult females have iron deficiency. Ferrous Sulphate (FS), a bivalent iron salt remains the established and the standard treatment of iron deficiency. Iron polymaltose complex (IPC) causes less or no gastric irritation and eliminates the need for frequent dosing thereby improving patient compliance. The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of iron polymaltose complex and ferrous sulphate in female patients with iron deficiency anemia. Methods: 150 patients of iron deficiency anemia were enrolled in the study with 75 patients each in two groups. One group received iron polymaltose complex and the other group received ferrous sulphate for a period of 12 weeks. Response was assessed by measuring hemoglobin level, serum iron level, serum ferritin and total iron binding. The results within the groups were analyzed using paired student‘t’ test and between the groups using unpaired student‘t’ test. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Both iron polymaltose complex and ferrous sulphate significantly improved hemoglobin level, serum iron level, total iron binding capacity. The efficacy achieved with both these drugs was comparable, but overall adverse effects were more common in the FS group compared to the IPC group. Conclusion: Iron polymaltose complex can be considered as a useful alternative formulation over ferrous sulphate as it had fewer adverse effects.