Sodium Ferric Gluconate Complex, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: iron supplement

Generic and brand names: sodium ferric gluconate complex, injection; Ferrlecit

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat iron deficiency in people who need hemodialysis regularly and who are also receiving erythropoietin. Both of these medicines help your body produce red blood cells, which are essential for good health.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• a blood disorder such as anemia that is not related to iron deficiency.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein), usually during dialysis treatments. Keep all appointments for all prescribed treatments.

Your healthcare provider may order a test dose to determine if you are allergic to this medicine. The signs of an allergic reaction are difficulty breathing, swelling of the tongue or lips, hives, and itching. If you develop any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider right away or get emergency medical care.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may lower your blood pressure and cause flushing, lightheadedness, tiredness, weakness, or pain in the chest, back, or groin. These symptoms may last for an hour or two. If they last longer, contact your healthcare provider.

You need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for tests.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness, fainting.

Other: Irritation at the injection site, leg cramps or swelling, upset stomach, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, tingling, flushing.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• oral iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate (Feosol), ferrous gluconate (Fergon), ferrous fumarate (Femiron, Feostat, Ircon), Niferex, Ferrex 150, Hytinic, Nu-Iron, and Ferro-Sequels.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.