Expert review of hematology
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The efficacy of oral iron in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) can be limited by poor gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and adverse GI symptoms; intravenous (IV) iron is a well-established alternative. The present study compared the efficacy of two IV iron formulations in patients with IDA: iron isomaltoside (IIM) and ferric carboxymaltose (FCM). ⋯ IIM resulted in a larger increase from baseline hemoglobin than FCM in patients with IDA, but with no difference in the proportion of patients responding. Studies comparing IIM and FCM directly would be needed to confirm these findings.