Venofer IV (Ferric Hydroxide Sucrose)
| Dose | Size & Price | Qty |
|---|
| Fact Table | |
|---|---|
| Formula | C12H29Fe5Na2O23 |
| License | Approved — used worldwide (>?91 countries) |
| Bioavailability | Intravenous (100% by definition for IV) |
| Legal status | Prescription only (Rx) / requires medical supervision |
| Chemical Name | Polynuclear iron(III)-hydroxide–sucrose complex (iron sucrose / iron saccharate) |
| Elimination half-life | ~6 hours (after IV injection) |
| Dosage (Strength) | 20?mg elemental iron/mL (typically 100?mg per 5?mL ampoule) |
| Pregnancy | Use only if clearly needed — benefits vs risks should be assessed by physician |
| Brands | Venofer (by American Regent / Fresenius in Canada) |
| Protein binding / Distribution | Iron eventually bound to transport/storage proteins (e.g., transferrin, ferritin) after release from complex; volume of distribution ~7–10?L in adults |
| PubChem CID / Database ID | PubChem CID 91663255; DrugBank ID DB09146 |
| ATC code | B03AC — iron, parenteral preparations |
| Routes of administration | Intravenous injection or infusion only (IV iron) |
Venofer (iron sucrose injection) is a form of iron replacement used to treat iron deficiency anemia in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Iron sucrose works by delivering iron into the bloodstream through an intravenous infusion, which allows the body to produce more red blood cells. This medication is classified as an iron supplement and may help restore normal iron levels when the body can't absorb enough iron from food or oral supplements.
Venofer is administered intravenously, which means a healthcare provider gives it directly into a vein. For adults with chronic kidney disease who aren't on dialysis, the typical dose is 200 mg given slowly over 2 to 5 minutes, repeated 5 times over a 14-day period for a total of 1,000 mg. Adults on hemodialysis usually receive 100 mg during each dialysis session.
For children 2 years and older, the dosage is calculated based on body weight. The medication should be given slowly to reduce the risk of low blood pressure or other reactions.
Iron sucrose is the active ingredient in this drug.
The most common side effects of Venofer include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, and changes in blood pressure. Some people may also experience abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, or mild injection site pain or burning. Fatigue, shortness of breath, or skin itching may occur during or shortly after an infusion, but these effects are usually temporary.
More serious reactions can occur, including low blood pressure, chest pain, swelling, or signs of an allergic response such as rash, wheezing, or swelling of the face and throat. In rare cases, severe hypersensitivity reactions or anaphylaxis have been reported. Rapid infusion or higher doses may increase the risk of these events. Any severe or unusual symptoms should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.
A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.
The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (e.g., different shape or color), as trademark laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.
Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.