Venofer

Venofer has an antianemic effect.

Indications Venofera

It is used in the following cases:

• to quickly restore iron levels in the body in cases of iron deficiency anemia;
• people with intolerance to tablet forms of iron-containing drugs (or if it is impossible to take such drugs);
• in the presence of perforations, damage or pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract, due to which the use of tablets is impossible.

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Release form

The drug is released in the form of a solution, inside ampoules with a volume of 2 ml. The blister plate contains 5 such ampoules. Inside the box - 1 plate.

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Pharmacodynamics

The active component of the drug is a polynuclear type of centers containing iron atoms and having a valence index of 3. They are surrounded on the outside by many non-covalently synthesized sucrose molecules. This complex is quite heavy, about 43 kD, due to which the rate of its excretion through the kidneys is quite low.

The complex demonstrates high stability and does not release iron ions. Inside the complex, the iron molecules are similar to the natural element of hemoglobin - the substance ferritin.

This medicinal complex is required by the body to ensure regulated processes of iron absorption, as well as its movement and storage of transferrin and ferritin within the body.

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Pharmacokinetics

With the first injection of the drug, peak values of iron in the blood are noted after 10 minutes.

The half-life is approximately 6 hours. The distribution volume within the liquid spaces is quite low.

Since iron sucrose is not stable, approximately 31 mg of iron is transported over a 24-hour period.

During the first 4 hours, approximately 5% of iron is excreted by the kidneys. After 1 day, iron levels in the blood return to their previous levels. Approximately 75% of sucrose is excreted from the plasma.

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Dosing and administration

The drug can only be administered intravenously – directly into a vein or through a drip.

Before the first injection, a test dose must be injected. In this case, you must have a ready-to-use resuscitation kit. If there are no negative symptoms within 15 minutes after this injection, the remainder of the solution dosage can be administered.

The test portion size for an adult and children weighing 14+ kg is 20 mg of iron (for an adult) and 1.5 mg/kg (for a child).

The standard adult dose is usually 5-10 ml of the substance (it should be administered 1-3 times over 7 days).

For a child over 3 years of age, a maximum of 0.15 mg/kg is administered at the frequency indicated for an adult.

Scheme of using drugs for intravenous administration through a dropper.

This type of injection is considered more effective and at the same time safe, because with this type of administration the risk of the drug getting under the skin is reduced, as well as the likelihood of a drop in blood pressure.

Before infusion, the medication is dissolved in a 0.9% NaCl solution (the proportions are 1:20). Thus, 1 ml of Venofer is dissolved in 20 ml of NaCl, 5 ml in 0.1 l, and 25 ml in 0.5 l.

The speed of the procedure is selected as follows:

• 0.1 g of iron requires 15 minutes;
• for 0.2 g – 0.5 hours;
• for the introduction of 0.3 g of the substance – a 1.5-hour procedure;
• for injection of 0.4 g of the drug – 2.5 hours;
• for 0.5 g of solution – 3.5 hours.

A single dose may consist of a maximum of 7 mg/kg of the drug. It is administered over a minimum of 3.5 hours.

Intravenous drug administration regimen using jet method.

The injection is made with undiluted preparation at a rate of 1 ml per minute, however the maximum amount of medicine is 10 ml per injection.

With this method of administration, it is also necessary to make a test injection. For adults - 1 ml, for children - 1.5 mg of iron per kg, within a minute.

The dosage is calculated using the formula: body weight (kg) x Hb (g/l) x 0.24 + deposited iron (mg), where

Hb (for weight less than 35 kg) = 130 grams per liter; deposited iron = 15 mg per kg;

If the weight is more than 35 mg, Hb = 150 g/l, deposited iron = 500 mg.

If the therapeutic dose is higher than the calculated daily dose, the drug should be taken multiple times.

Improvements in blood counts and the patient's condition should occur within 7-14 days after the start of treatment. If this does not happen, the diagnosis should be reviewed.

Calculation of dosage after major blood loss or blood donation (donor)

If the amount of blood lost is known, the required dosage is calculated as the number of units of blood lost multiplied by 200. If Hb has been reduced, the same formula is used, provided that there is no need to replenish iron stores.

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Use Venofera during pregnancy

The use of Venofer is prohibited in the 1st trimester.

In animal tests, no negative effects of the drug on the embryo, fetus, birth process, or postnatal development of the infant were detected.

Before prescribing a drug to a pregnant woman, the likelihood of benefit and risk of adverse effects must be carefully assessed.

Iron saccharate does not pass into breast milk. During lactation, the drug can be used only after prior consultation with a doctor.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

• other types and forms of anemia (megaloblastic or hemolytic), as well as disorders of erythropoiesis or bone marrow hypoplasia;
• the presence of intolerance to medicinal components;
• hemochromatosis or hemosiderosis, as well as excess iron in the body;
• disorders of the processes of iron excretion from the body (thalassemia, lead intoxication, epidermal porphyria and sideroachrestic anemia).

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Side effects Venofera

Among the most common adverse effects of the solution are nausea, dysgeusia, decreased blood pressure, chills, as well as inflammation and redness at the injection site. Anaphylactoid manifestations appear sporadically.

Other side effects:

• metallic taste, headaches with dizziness;
• muscle spasms, diarrhea, myalgia, nausea or vomiting;
• rash on the epidermis, urticaria or erythema;
• dyspnea, palpitations, bronchospasm, decreased blood pressure, bradycardia, tachycardia, and circulatory collapse;
• hot flashes, hyperhidrosis, fever and a feeling of heaviness in the chest.

Arthralgia, confusion or loss of consciousness, paresthesia, pruritus, increased blood pressure, back pain, feeling of heat, swelling in the joints, asthenia, severe fatigue and angioedema are occasionally observed.

If, during injection of a drug, the solution suddenly begins to leak under the skin, symptoms such as inflammation and pain in the area, tissue necrosis and brown discoloration of the epidermis may occur.

Overdose

As a result of an overdose, symptoms of acute iron overload - hemosiderosis - appear.

As a therapy, the use of symptomatic agents and intravenous chelating agents (deferoxamine) is indicated.

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Interactions with other drugs

It is not recommended to combine Venofer with iron-containing tablets, as iron absorption may decrease. Treatment with such drugs should be carried out no sooner than 5 days after the last injection.

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Storage conditions

The drug should not be frozen or stored at temperatures above 27 degrees. Store in the original packaging.

Shelf life

Shelf life is 36 months.

It is recommended to use the solution immediately after opening the ampoule.

After mixing the substance with a saline solution, it can be stored at a temperature of 18-20 degrees for no more than 12 hours.

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Analogues

Argeferr, Ferrolek-Health, Dextrafer, Ferinject, Sufer, FerMed, Iron Saccharate-iron wine, Ferrum Lek, Fermed, Likferr 100, Maltofer.

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Reviews

There are very few reviews of the product. The drug is quite effective in combating iron deficiency anemia in a hospital setting. Of the side effects, the most common complaints are swelling in the legs, nausea and dizziness, which pass some time after the injection.