Efficacy and Tolerability of Oral Iron Protein Succinylate in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adults with Gastrointestinal Diseases

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is commonly associated with several pathological gastrointestinal (GI) conditions in adults, being induced through different mechanisms, such as chronic bleeding, chronic inflammation, malabsorption, autoimmune re-actions, or, quite frequently, as a combination of different mechanisms. All patients must be treated with iron supplementation with the aim of restoring normal hemoglobin levels and iron status. Oral iron compounds are the first line treatment options for ID clinical conditions, according to International Guidelines, as they have proven to be efficacious, safe, and relatively inexpensive. However, ferric salts are scarcely absorbed, and ferrous compounds present a poor GI tolerability. Iron-protein succinylate (IPS), an iron complex that keeps ferric iron bonded to the protein content of a succinylated casein shell at acid pH values, has been shown to release gradually iron into the intestinal lumen, protecting the gastrointestinal mucosa from eventual damage, an ensuring an optimal intestinal iron absorption. This review focuses on IPS in the treatment of IDA associated to a variety of GI medical conditions in adults. Results from diverse studies including IDA due to acute and chronic GI conditions, as well as IDA associated to gastric surgery, confirm a consistent improvement in hematologic parameters and clinical symptoms, and an optimal tolerability profile.