Accelerated total dose infusion of low molecular weight iron dextran is safe and efficacious in chronic kidney disease patients.

Background: Low molecular weight iron dextran (LMWID) is licensed for use as a total dose infusion (TDI) over 4-6 h. In order to improve patient convenience and cost-effectiveness of therapy, we investigated the safety and efficacy of adopting accelerated dosing regimens and compared this with a standard rate LMWID infusion.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients undergoing accelerated and standard rate TDI of LMWID was conducted across three centres. A total of 1904 doses of LMWID were administered at an accelerated rate of 1 g over 1 h 40 min. This was compared with 395 patients who had standard rate infusion of 1 g LMWID over 3-4 h.

Results: There were eight minor adverse events in patients receiving accelerated dose LMWID (8/1904, 0.42%) in comparison to one adverse event in patients receiving a standard regimen (1/395, 0.25%). No serious adverse events occurred. Serum haemoglobin and ferritin significantly improved in both groups.

Conclusion: TDI LMWID is a safe and efficacious method of iron replacement. Accelerated infusion regimen is safe and compares well with standard rate infusion regimen. Furthermore, accelerated TDI of LMWID enables greater numbers of patients to be treated and consequently there appear to be advantages for both patient and health resources.