The newest information for iron metabolism: ferric carboxymaltose, a recently available treatment option for iron-deficiency anemia

Abstract

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common form of anemia. It is treated through iron replacement therapy, with oral iron administration as the recommended first-line treatment. However, intravenous (IV) iron formulation is at timed used owing to adverse effects of oral iron administration such as gastrointestinal symptoms. Although saccharated ferric iron oxide had been the only available IV iron formulation in Japan for a long time, ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) has recently been approved. In this review, the characteristics, efficacy, and safety of FCM will be discussed mainly by introducing the results of three clinical trials for FCM conducted in Japan. More effective treatment for patients with IDA might be achieved through the introduction of FCM administration in clinical settings.