Do you always feel tired and lifeless? Do you get tired even after a little bit of work? These could be signs of blood deficiency, or as we call it in medical terms, anemia. This condition is very common, especially in people with kidney diseases. So one solution to this is to provide the body with the necessary amount of iron. Today we are going to talk about a special iron medicine that doctors inject into the veins at such times. That is Sodium Ferric Gluconate Complex.
Simply put, what is this medicine?
This is actually a medicine that restores the iron levels in our body. It is used especially for iron deficiency anemia caused by iron deficiency in people with kidney disease.
Now you might be wondering why iron is so important to us. It's very simple. Iron is essential for making red blood cells in our blood. These red blood cells are what carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. So when iron is low, red blood cell production decreases. Then the amount of oxygen that reaches the body becomes insufficient. That's why I mentioned the symptoms like fatigue and weakness.
Why does this happen to someone with kidney disease? There are several reasons. Sometimes the kidneys produce less of a hormone that helps make red blood cells. Also, during the blood purification process (dialysis), some iron can be removed from the body. In such cases, if the iron given in pills is not enough, the doctor may prescribe an intravenous iron medication like this.
This medicine may be available in the market under brand names such as `Ferrlecit` or `Nulecit`.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. Therefore, if any of the following applies to you, be sure to tell your doctor .
Even the smallest piece of information you provide can be very important for your safety. So don't hide anything.
| Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Other anemias | If your anemia is not caused by iron deficiency (if you have lost blood due to another reason). |
| Increased iron levels | If you already have high levels of iron in your body (e.g. conditions such as hemochromatosis). |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to iron, other medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes. |
| Pregnancy | If you are currently pregnant or expecting a baby. |
| Breastfeeding | If you are a mother who is breastfeeding your child. |
How to give this medicine and what to watch out for
This is not a medicine that you can take home. This is an intravenous injection. So it is given in a hospital or clinic by a doctor or a trained nurse. So there is nothing to worry about.
- Is it given to children? In some special cases, this medicine can be prescribed to children over 6 years of age. But it is done with great caution and under special medical supervision.
- What if the dose is too high? This is very unlikely as it is given in a hospital. However, if you think you may have overdosed , immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- What if I miss a dose? It is very important to take this medication exactly on the scheduled date. If you are unable to attend your scheduled appointment, call your doctor or clinic immediately and let them know.
- Will there be any problems with other medications? Yes. This iron injection can interact with some medications. It is especially not given with medications that remove iron from the body, such as `(Deferasirox)` and `(Deferoxamine). Also, if you are using other iron-containing products, such as iron tablets, you should also tell your doctor.
The best thing to do is to give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you take (including vitamins and traditional medicines).
During your treatment, your doctor will often order blood tests to monitor your condition. It is your responsibility to get these tests done correctly.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. Some of them need to be reported immediately, while others usually go away in a few days.
| 🚨 Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor or nurse immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Low Blood Pressure | Dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision. |
| Difficulty breathing | Feeling of tightness in the chest. |
| 🙂 Usually nothing to worry about (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Headache | A common headache after the injection. |
| Flushing | Redness and a feeling of heat in the face and neck area. |
| Muscle and joint pain | Pain in the body and joints. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
| Pain at the injection site | Redness, slight swelling, or soreness at the injection site. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned in this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- This (Sodium Ferric Gluconate) is a special iron medication given intravenously to treat anemia caused by iron deficiency in kidney patients.
- Before starting treatment, be sure to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and medications you are taking.
- This medicine is given in a hospital or clinic under medical supervision.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms (difficulty breathing, swelling) during or after administration of the medicine, notify the doctor immediately.
- Do not miss the blood tests and clinic dates prescribed by the doctor.
- While taking this medicine, do not take other iron tablets or syrups without consulting your doctor.
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