Animal and Human Studies on Ferrous Fumarate, an Oral Hematinic

Abstract

Abstract Ferrous fumarate, an oral hematinic, has been compared with the sulphate, succinate and gluconate for various aspects of toxicity. In mice, the relative acute oral toxicities were fumarate 1, succinate 1.1, gluconate 2.0 and sulphate 2.7. In cats, the relative emetic activities were fumarate 1, succinate and gluconate 3, and sulphate 4. Examination of the stomachs and livers of rabbits given massive doses of the four iron tablets showed that the sulphate and gluconate were much more toxic and irritant than the succinate or fumarate. Rats dosed for 12 weeks with ferrous fumarate (50 mg. Fe/Kg./day) grew normally, and histologic examination of the major organs revealed no abnormalities that could be attributed to the drug. Hematinic studies on iron-deficient rats, receiving the four iron compounds orally or iron-dextran intramuscularly, indicated that ferrous fumarate was as effective as the other compounds. Twenty-two hypochromic anemic patients were dosed with Fersamal (three tablets per day), and all except one showed hematologic improvement. The patient who proved refractory had previously undergone gastrectomy and had not improved on either ferrous sulphate or gluconate. The tablets were acceptable to all the patients.