Rapid, high-dose intravenous iron sucrose therapy in 2 Jehovah's Witness patients with severe anemia, iron deficiency and chronic kidney disease

• Published in: Clinical nephrology Vol. 62; no. 2; p. 116
• Main Authors: Schwenk, M H, Blaustein, D A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.08.2004
• Subjects: Aged; Anemia - complications; Anemia - drug therapy; Chronic Disease; Female; Ferric Compounds - administration & dosage; Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; Glucaric Acid; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Iron - deficiency; Jehovah's Witnesses; Kidney Diseases - complications; Kidney Diseases - drug therapy; Middle Aged; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0301-0430
• DOI: 10.5414/cnp62116

Two patients with chronic kidney disease presented with severe anemia and iron deficiency. Because of their religious beliefs, red blood cell transfusions were not possible, and an aggressive therapeutic regimen of iron replenishment was instituted. The regimen included epoetin, folic acid and high-dose intravenous iron sucrose infusions over multiple successive days (total dosages of 2 and 3.5 g). The patients' iron stores were replenished and an erythropoietic response ensued subsequent to this aggressive and unique therapeutic regimen. There were no side effects observed which could be attributed to iron sucrose, and both patients stabilized and were discharged after 3 - 4 weeks. In patients with chronic kidney disease who are severely anemic and iron-deficient and where transfusions are not possible, an aggressive regimen of multiple high-dose iron sucrose infusions may be both safe and effective.