Iron sucrose - characteristics, efficacy and regulatory aspects of an established treatment of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in a broad range of therapeutic areas.

INTRODUCTION: Iron is a key element in the transport and utilization of oxygen and a variety of metabolic pathways. Iron deficiency is a major cause of anemia and can be associated with fatigue, impaired physical function and reduced quality of life. Administration of oral or intravenous (i.v.) iron is the recommended treatment for iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in different therapeutic areas. AREAS COVERED: This article provides an overview of studies that evaluated i.v. iron sucrose for anemia and iron status management, either alone or in combination with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, across various diseases and conditions. EXPERT OPINION: Iron sucrose is an established, effective and well-tolerated treatment of IDA in patients with acute or chronic conditions such as chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pregnancy (second and third trimester), postpartum period, heavy menstrual bleeding and cancer who need rapid iron supply and in whom oral iron preparations are ineffective or not tolerated. Available data on patient blood management warrant further studies on preoperative iron treatment. First experience with iron sucrose follow-on products raises questions about their therapeutic equivalence without comparative clinical data in newly diagnosed patients or patients on existing chronic treatment.