Ferric Carboxymaltose: A Review in Iron Deficiency

Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject (R); Injectafer (R)) is a colloidal solution of nanoparticles which consist of a polynuclear iron (III)-(oxyhydr) oxide core stabilized by carboxymaltose and may be given as a single high-dose, 15-min infusion. This article reviews the clinical use of ferric carboxymaltose in various patient populations with iron deficiency (ID) [+/- anaemia] and briefly summarizes its pharmacological properties. Based on extensive experience in the clinical trial and real-world settings, ferric carboxymaltose is an effective and generally well tolerated treatment for rapidly replenishing iron stores and correcting anaemia in patients with ID (+/- anaemia) of various aetiologies, including patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease or perioperative anaemia, and women with ID during pregnancy, postpartum or associated with heavy uterine bleeding. As it may be given as a single high-dose infusion, ferric carboxymaltose has the potential to provide cost savings from a healthpayer perspective. Thus, ferric carboxymaltose remains an important option for the treatment of ID in adults and, where approved, children aged >= 14 years, when oral iron preparations are ineffective or cannot be used.