DRUG

CLASSIFICATION &

DOSAGE,

MECHANISM OF

INDICATION

ROUTE,

ACTION

CONTRA-

SIDE EFFECTS

NURSING
RESPONSIBILITIES

INDICATION

FREQUENC
Y
Generic

Classication

30mg/5ml

An essential

Contraindicated in:

CNS: IM, IV

name:

Therapeutic: antianemics

7.5ml OD

mineral found in

Hemochromatosis,

SEIZURES,dizzi

Ferrous

Pharmacologic: iron

hemoglobin,

hemosiderosis, or other

ness, headache,

sulfate

supplements

myoglobin, and

evidence of iron

syn- cope.

many

overload; Anemias not

enzymes.Enters the

due to iron deciency;

blood- stream and

Some products contain

of iron-deciency anemia.

is transported to

alcohol, tartrazine, or

IM, IV: Iron dextran

the organs of the

sultes and should be

Treatment of iron-

reticulo-endothelial

avoided in patients with

deciency anemia in

system (liver,

known intolerance or

patients who cannot

spleen, bone

hypersensitivity. Use

Indications:
Brand
name:
Apo- ferrous
sulfate,
FeroGrad,
Novuferosult

PO: Prevention/treatment

Assessment
Assess nutritional
status and dietary
history to determine

CV: IM, IV

possible cause of

hypotension,

anemia and need for

hypertension,

patient teaching.

tachycardia.

Assess bowel

GI: nausea; PO,

function for

constipation,

constipation or

dark stools,

diarrhea. Notify

tolerate or receive oral

marrow), where it is

Cautiously in: PO:

diarrhea,

health care

iron. Sodium ferric

separated out and

Peptic ulcer; Ulcerative

epigastric pain,

professional and use

gluconate complex

becomes part of

colitis or regional

GI bleeding; IM,

appropriate nursing

Treatment of iron

iron stores.

enteritis (condition may

IV, taste

measures should

be aggravated);

disorder,

these occur.

Alcoholism; Severe

vomiting.

deciency in patients
undergoing chronic
hemodialysis or peritoneal
dialysis who are

Therapeutic Effects:
Prevention/treatme
nt of iron
deciency.

hepatic impairment;
Severe renal

concurrently receiving

impairment (oral

erythropoietin.Treatment

products); Pre-existing

of iron-deciency anemia

cardiovascular disease

in patients with chronic

(iron dextran) (may be

kidney disease including

exacerbated by adverse

patients who are not on

reactions to this drug);

dialysis (with or without

Signicant allergies or

erythropoietin) and

asthma (iron dextran);

Iron Dextran, Iron

Derm: IM,IV

Sucrose, and Sodium

ushing,

Ferric Gluconate

urticaria. Resp:

Complex: Monitor

IVcough,

blood pressure and

dyspnea. Local:

heart rate frequently

pain at IM site

following IV

(iron dextran),

administration until

phlebitis at IV

stable. Rapid infusion

site, skin

rate may cause

staining at IM

hypotension and

patients dependent on

Rheumatoid arthritis

site (iron

dialysis (with

(iron dextran) (may

dextran). MS:IM,

erythropoietin).

have exacerbation of

IVarthralgia,

joint swelling); OB,

myalgia. Misc:

Lactation: Pregnancy or

PO staining of

lactation (safety of some teeth (liquid

parenteral products not

preparations);

established); Pedi:

IM, IV, allergic

Safety not established

reactions

for infants

including
ANAPHYLAXIS,

4 mo (iron dextran) or
fever,
children
lymphadenopath
6 yr(sodium ferric
gluconate complex);

y, sweating.

ushing.
Assess patient for
signs and symptoms
of anaphylaxis (rash,
pruritus, laryngeal
edema, wheezing).
Notify physician
immediately if these
occur. Keep
epinephrine and
resuscitation
equipment close by in
the event of an
anaphylactic
reaction.

safety may not be

Lab Test

established for other

Considerations:

products in the

Monitor hemoglobin,

pediatric population.

hematocrit, and
reticulocyte values
prior to and every 3
wk during the rst 2
mo of therapy and
periodically
thereafter. Serum
ferritin and iron
levels may also be
monitored to assess
effectiveness of
therapy.
Occult blood in
stools may be

obscured by black
coloration of iron in
stool. Guaiac test
results may
occasionally be falsepositive.