Ferrlecit (Intravenous)

Generic name: sodium ferric gluconate complex [ SOE-dee-um-FER-rik-Gloo-koe-nate-KOM-plex ]
Other brand names of sodium ferric gluconate complex include Ferrlecit, Nulecit
Drug class: Iron products

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 18, 2024.

Uses for Ferrlecit

Sodium ferric gluconate complex injection is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (not enough iron in the blood). It is used in patients with kidney disease who are receiving dialysis and a medicine called epoetin to prevent anemia. Sodium ferric gluconate complex is an iron replacement product.

Iron is a mineral that the body needs to produce red blood cells. When the body does not get enough iron, it cannot produce the number of normal red blood cells. This condition is called iron deficiency (iron shortage) or iron deficiency anemia.

This medicine is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Before using Ferrlecit

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sodium ferric gluconate complex injection in children. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 6 years of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of sodium ferric gluconate complex injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving sodium ferric gluconate complex injection.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Baloxavir Marboxil
Bictegravir
Dimercaprol
Eltrombopag
Erdafitinib
Magnesium Sulfate
Raltegravir

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Delafloxacin
Minocycline
Zinc

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Phytic Acid Containing Food

Proper use of Ferrlecit

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital or dialysis clinic. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions while using Ferrlecit

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and Kounis syndrome, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort, pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back or neck, nausea, sweating, or vomiting after you receive the medicine.

This medicine may cause hypotension (low blood pressure). Check with your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, sweating, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine contains benzyl alcohol which may cause serious reactions (eg, gasping syndrome) for a newborn or premature infant. Discuss this with your doctor if you are concerned.

Side Effects of Ferrlecit

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Anxiety
arm, back, or jaw pain
bladder pain
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
bloody or cloudy urine
bloody, black, or tarry stools
blue lips and fingernails
blurred vision
chest pain, discomfort, heaviness, or tightness
cold sweats
confusion
cool, pale skin
cough or hoarseness
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
decreased level of consciousness
decreased urine
depression
diarrhea
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
dry mouth
eye pain
fainting
fast or slow heartbeat
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
feeling of warmth or heat
fever or chills
flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
increased hunger
increased sweating
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat
joint pain
leg cramps
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
mood changes
muscle aches, cramps, and pains
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
nightmares
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pale skin
pounding in the ears
rapid weight gain
rapid, shallow breathing
runny nose
seizures
shakiness
shivering
slow or irregular heartbeat
slurred speech
sore throat
stomach pain
sweating
swelling in the legs and ankles
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area
trouble sleeping
trouble breathing
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight gain or loss
weakness or heaviness of the legs
weight gain

Incidence not known

Bleeding gums
bluish color
changes in skin color
cold, clammy skin
coughing up blood
excessive muscle tone
face is warm or hot to touch
fast, weak pulse
hives, itching, skin rash
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
muscle stiffness, tension, or tightness
nosebleeds
paralysis
prolonged bleeding from cuts
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
sweating
tenderness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Accumulation of pus
acid or sour stomach
belching
bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
body aches or pain
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
burning, dry, or itching eyes
cramps
deafness
difficulty with moving
discharge or excessive tearing
double vision
ear congestion
excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
feeling unusually cold
full feeling
heartburn
hyperventilation
increased sweating
indigestion
irritability
longer or heavier menstrual periods
loss of appetite
loss of voice
passing of gas
redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
restlessness
rolling of the eyes
seeing double
shivering
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
sneezing
stomach discomfort or upset
swollen, red, or tender area of infection
voice changes
watery eyes
weight loss