| Description | Ferrous fumarate is the ferrous salt form of fumarate. One of its most important applications is being used as iron supplements for the treatment of iron deficiency and anemia. It has been demonstrated that application of ferrous sulfate drops or a single daily dose of microencapsulated ferrous fumarate sprinkles plus ascorbic acid both result in successful treatment of anemia without remarkable side effects. However, recent studies have also shown that compared to other iron supplements, ferrous fumarate has a highest rate of inducing adverse reactions such as erosive mucosal injury in the gastrointestinal tract as well as nausea, vomiting and epigastric discomfort.
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| Chemical Properties | Ferrous fumarate (iron(II)fumarate, C4H2Fe04) is an odorless, reddish-orange to reddish-brown powder. It may contain soft lumps that produce a yellow streak when crushed. It is prepared by admixing hot solutions of ferrous sulfate and sodium fumarate. |
| Originator | Toleron,Mallinckrodt Inc.,US,1957 |
| Uses | Iron(II) fumarate is used as dietary Supplement, nutrient, iron source in foods and pharmaceuticals, as animal feed additive and in infant formulas. |
| Uses | Ferrous Fumarate is a reddish orange to red-brown powder that is a
source of iron. it has high bioavailability and can be used in foods
where the red color can be masked. it contains approximately 33%
iron. it is used as a dietary supplement in breakfast cereals, poultry
stuffing, enriched flour, and instant drinks. |
| Uses | Ferrous fumarate is available as a syrup and may be useful in small children for the treatment and prophylaxis of iron deficiency. Iron(II) Fumarate is a a chemical used in the treatment of iron deficiency. More commonly used for this treatment is Ferrous Sulfate however Iron(II) Fumarate does maintain similar absorption profiles. |
| Definition | Ferrous fumarate is a dicarboxylic acid. Anhydrous salt of a combination of ferrous iron and fumaric acid, stable, odorless, substantially tasteless. Reddish-brown, anhydrous powder, contains 33% iron by weight, does not melt at temperatures up to 280C, insoluble in alcohol, very slightly solubility. It is used in treatment of iron deficiency anemia. |
| Manufacturing Process | Sodium carbonate (53.5 pounds of Na2CO3-H2O) was dissolved in water (40 to
45 gallons) and fumaric acid (50 pounds) was added slowly. During the
addition the solution was stirred and heated. The resulting solution of sodium
fumarate, having a pH of 6.8, was added slowly with mixing to a solution of
ferrous sulfate (118 pounds FeSO4-7H2O in 33 gallons of water) having a pH
of 3.3, both solutions being maintained at or near boiling temperature during
the mixing. The resulting slurry of reddish-brown anhydrous ferrous fumarate
was filtered and washed in a centrifuge and dried in a tray drier (15 hours at
110°C). Yield: 63 pounds, 86% of theory. Calculated for FeC4H2O4: Fe,
32.9%. Found: Fe, 32.6%. Only 0.2% of ferric iron (Fe+++) was found. |
| Therapeutic Function | Hematinic |
| General Description | Ferrous fumarate is a commonly used inexpensive substitute for other forms of iron, that is employed as a food iron fortificant. |
| Flammability and Explosibility | Notclassified |
| Clinical Use | Iron deficiency anaemia |
| Safety Profile | Poison by
intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by
ingestion and subcutaneous routes. Human
systemic effects by ingestion: dyspnea,
nausea or vomiting, somnolence. When
heated to decomposition it emits acrid
smoke and irritating fumes. See also
FUMRIC ACID. |
| Drug interactions | Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Antibacterials: reduced absorption of 4-quinolones
and tetracyclines.
Dimercaprol: avoid concomitant use.
Mycophenolate: may significantly reduce absorption
of mycophenolate. |
| Metabolism | Following absorption, the majority of iron is bound to
transferrin and transported to the bone marrow where
it is incorporated into haemoglobin. The remainder is
stored within ferritin or haemosiderin or is incorporated
into myoglobin with smaller amounts occurring in haemcontaining enzymes or in plasma bound to transferrin.
Only very small amounts are excreted as the body
reabsorbs the iron after the haemoglobin has broken
down. |
| References | Zlotkin, Stanley, et al. "Treatment of anemia with microencapsulated ferrous fumarate plus ascorbic acid supplied as sprinkles to complementary (weaning) foods." The American journal of clinical nutrition 74.6 (2001): 791-795.Cancelo-Hidalgo, María Jesús, et al. "Tolerability of different oral iron supplements: a systematic review." Current medical research and opinion 29.4 (2013): 291-303. |
