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IV iron

Iron sucrose

Brand names: Venofer

Iron sucrose is an intravenous iron preparation used to treat iron-deficiency anaemia when oral iron is ineffective, not tolerated or clinically inappropriate, including in chronic kidney disease.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It supplies an iron-sucrose complex that is taken up by the reticuloendothelial system, releasing iron for binding to transferrin and incorporation into haemoglobin.

Prescribing in practice

  • Serious hypersensitivity reactions can occur, so it must be given where resuscitation facilities are available with monitoring during and after each administration.
  • Parenteral iron should be avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy and is contraindicated in iron overload and in anaemia not due to iron deficiency.
  • Avoid extravasation, which can cause persistent brown discolouration of the skin.

Monitoring

Observe for hypersensitivity during and after administration, and monitor haemoglobin and iron status to guide ongoing replacement.

Counselling the patient

  • Report any feeling of being unwell, dizziness, breathlessness or rash during the infusion straight away.
  • Mild taste changes or transient symptoms after the dose are not unusual.
  • You will be monitored for a period after treatment as a precaution.

Evidence & guidelines

The MHRA advises that all intravenous iron preparations carry a risk of serious hypersensitivity and require resuscitation facilities to be available.

Reference: NICE NG8; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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