Table 2.

Characteristics of different IV iron formulations.

Drug	Trade name	Maximum approved dose (mg)	# of doses	Duration (min)	Benefit	Side Effect
Low Molecular Weight Iron Dextran	INFeD	1000	1	60	Total dose infusion; cost effective	Although initially there were concerns for a slightly higher risk of anaphylaxis, more recent data has shown a similar safety profile to other common products.
Ferric gluconate	Ferrlecit	125	8	60	Safe in history of dextran induced anaphylaxis	Hypotension, flushing, headache
Iron sucrose	Venofer	200–300 per dose, 1000 mg total	3–5	15	Safe in history of dextran induced anaphylaxis	Diarrhea, headache, nausea, dizziness, hypotension
Ferumoxytol	Feraheme	510	2	15	Total dose in 2 infusions	interferes with certain MRIs. Diarrhea, headache, nausea, dizziness, hypotension
Iron isolamtoside	Monoferric	1000	1	15	Total dose infusion; no test dose required	Appears similar to other commonly used products
Ferric carboxymaltose	Ferinject or Injectafer	750	2	15	Multiple clinical trials in pregnancy	May have higher rates of hypophosphatemia then other products.

^*Hypersensitivity reactions are common with all intravenous formulation and are often mild and transient. Severe reactions are generally a response to the carbohydrate shell, and most individuals will be able to tolerate a different formulation with a different carbohydrate molecule.