Abstract
2-3-Dihydroxybenzoic acid was evaluated as a potentially useful, orally effective iron-chelating drug by performing iron balance studies in patients with beta-thalassaemia major. The administration of this substance at 25 mg/kg/d to five patients for 8 d caused an average increase in iron excretion of 4.5 mg/d. When the drug was administered at 25 mg/kg q.i.d. to eight patients for 21 d, iron excretion increased to 6.5 mg/d. Chelation was highly specific for iron with changes in magnesium and calcium excretion being insignificant. The drug was well tolerated with side effects limited to gastrointestinal complaints which ameliorated when the drug was taken with food. These studies provide a rationale for further evaluation of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid in patients with iron overload.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
