A comparative trial of a controlled-release iron tablet preparation ('Ferrocontin' Continus) and ferrous fumarate tablets.
A single-blind, crossover comparative study was carried out in 40 patients with iron deficiency anaemia to assess the clinical efficacy and tolerance of once daily treatment with a controlled-release preparation of ferrous glycine sulphate ('Ferrocontin' Continus) and ferrous fumarate. Patients were allocated at random to receive 1 tablet (equivalent to 100 mg elemental iron) daily of one or other preparation for 4 weeks and were then crossed over to the alternative preparation for a further 4 weeks. The results showed that the significant increases in haemoglobin, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume were similar with both preparations. Seventeen patients reported gastro-intestinal side-effects on one or both preparations and the incidence was slightly less in patients whilst receiving the ferrous glycine sulphate preparation. In 3 patients, side-effects were sufficiently severe whilst taking ferrous fumarate to warrant interruption of treatment in 2 and withdrawal from the study in the other.
D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005998:Glycine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011485:Protein Binding; D013607:Tablets
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; D013607:Tablets; D007501:Iron; C030676:ferroglycine sulfate; C031621:ferrous fumarate; D005998:Glycine