Health
IV iron may help anemic kidney patients
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 23, 2008
Intravenous administration of iron may treat anemia caused by a deficiency in this mineral among chronic kidney disease patients, according to a study in the August Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Researchers randomized 304 CKD patients to receive either two doses of ferumoxytol, iron nanoparticles that can be administered by rapid infusion, or a 21-day course of iron tablets. Those receiving IV iron had a greater increase in their levels than those taking the pills and had a lower rate of side effects.
"This regimen may offer a new, efficient option to treat iron deficiency anemia in patients with CKD," the authors wrote.
AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc. has submitted these data to the Food and Drug Administration as part of its application for this drug to be marketed for this indication.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/06/23/hlbf0623.htm.