Gastric delivery system for iron supplementation

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 335; no. 8698; p. 1136
• Main Authors: Cook, J D, Carriaga, M, Kahn, S G, Schalch, W, Skikne, B S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 12.05.1990
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adult; Anemia, Hypochromic - drug therapy; Chi-Square Distribution; Clinical Trials as Topic; Delayed-Action Preparations; Double-Blind Method; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Ferrous Compounds - administration & dosage; Ferrous Compounds - adverse effects; Ferrous Compounds - pharmacokinetics; Gastric Mucosa - metabolism; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Iron Radioisotopes; Male; Nausea - chemically induced; Patient Compliance; Pilot Projects; Severity of Illness Index
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/0140-6736(90)91135-W

A gastric delivery system (GDS) for iron supplementation was evaluated. Radioisotopic studies in 9 volunteers demonstrated a three-fold higher absorption of GDS iron compared with ferrous sulphate elixir. A double-blind placebo controlled trial was done in 200 women to compare the gastrointestinal side-effects associated with 50 mg iron daily given either as GDS or conventional ferrous sulphate. The conventional preparation was associated with a significantly higher frequency of nausea and anorexia, whereas there were no significant differences in reported side-effects between subjects receiving GDS or placebo. A single GDS capsule daily provides the same amount of absorbed iron as conventional ferrous sulphate given three times daily, and does not produce gastrointestinal side-effects.