Pharmacokinetics and Uses of Iron Dextran
Iron dextran, a complex of iron and dextran, is a soluble iron preparation specifically for injection, mainly used as an anti-anemia drug. After intramuscular injection, it is converted into ferritin by the mononuclear phagocyte system to meet hematopoietic needs. Due to its advantages of low toxicity and side effects, stable properties, good solubility, and high iron content, it is used as an iron supplement in pig farming. This article will introduce its pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and indications.
Pharmacodynamics Iron is a major component of hemoglobin and myoglobin. Hemoglobin is the main oxygen carrier in red blood cells. Myoglobin is the oxygen storage site in muscle cells, helping to supply oxygen during muscle activity. Most enzymes and factors related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle contain iron or can only function in the presence of iron. Therefore, after actively supplementing iron in iron-deficient animals, in addition to accelerated hemoglobin synthesis, symptoms related to tissue iron deficiency and reduced iron-containing enzyme activity, such as growth retardation, abnormal behavior, and lack of physical strength, can gradually be corrected.
Pharmacokinetics
Iron dextran is an injectable iron preparation absorbed more rapidly than oral iron; after intramuscular injection, blood drug concentration peaks at 24 to 48 hours. Its large molecules are absorbed via lymphatic vessels into the bloodstream, causing a slower rise in blood drug concentration. After intravenous or intramuscular injection absorption into the circulation, it is phagocytized and decomposed into iron and dextran by the mononuclear phagocyte system. The absorbed iron ions are oxidized to trivalent iron ions by ceruloplasmin in the blood, then bind to transferrin receptors and enter cells via pinocytosis to be used by hematopoietic cells. Iron can also accumulate in the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and other mononuclear phagocyte systems in the form of ferritin or heme iron. The protein binding rate is very high in hemoglobin but lower in myoglobin, enzymes, and iron-transporting proteins, and also low in ferritin or heme iron.
Indications
Iron dextran is mainly used for ischemic anemia in calves, foals, piglets, and puppies. It can also be used for iron deficiency anemia in adult livestock, effectively improving the condition of stiff cattle, sheep, and pigs. In daily feeding, feed contains abundant iron, so livestock generally do not suffer from iron deficiency. However, iron deficiency may occur under the following circumstances:
1. Suckling or growing young animals; 2. Pregnant or lactating females; 3. Reduced intestinal absorption due to lack of gastric acid or chronic diarrhea; 4. Chronic blood loss leading to depletion of iron stores; 5. Recovery period after acute severe bleeding.
In these cases, appropriate supplementation of iron dextran is needed to prevent anemia.
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