Intravenous iron in general practice: managing reactions and minimising risks

Clinical A/Prof Pradeep Jayasuriya

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Clinical A/Prof Pradeep Jayasuriya

General Practitioner, WA Iron Centre, Perth

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These are activities that expand general practice knowledge, skills and attitudes, related to your scope of practice.

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0.5 minutes

These are activities that require reflection on feedback about your work.

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1 minutes

These are activities that use your work data to ensure quality results.

Approximately 60% of Australian general practices now administer intravenous iron,1 demonstrating significant progress in managing iron deficiency in primary care. This contrasts with countries like Canada, where most intravenous iron is administered in hospitals.2,3

Newer intravenous iron formulations have demonstrated favourable safety and efficacy characteristics compared with earlier preparations. However, minor reactions are common, and with increased usage, it’s particularly important that clinicians know how to minimise risk and recognise and manage potential reactions.4,5

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References

  1. HealthEd. GP iron infusions are a growing trend. 2021. Available at: https://www.healthed.com.au/clinical_articles/gp-iron-infusions-are-a-growing-trend [accessed September 2025].
  2. Brownlee T, et al. Can J Hosp Pharm. 2021;74(1):50–56[LH2.1].
  3. The Ottawa Hospital. A Guide for Patients. 2025. Available at: https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/documents/2025/02/p1497-en-2025-intravenous-iron-infusions-accessible.pdf [accessed September 2025].
  4. Lim W, et al. Vox Sang. 2019;114(4):363–373.[LH3.1]
  5. Auerbach M, et al. Hemodial Int. 2017;21(S1):S83–S92.[LH4.1]
  6. Richards T, et al. Ann Med. 2021;53(1):274–285[LH5.1].
  7. Fishbane S, et al. Am J Kidney Dis. 1996;28(4):529–534[LH6.1].
  8. Rampton D, et al. Haematologica. 2014;99(11):1671–1676[LH7.1].
  9. Rosano G, et al. J Clin Med. 2025 Jul 9;14(14):4861[LH8.1].
  10. Macdougall IC & Vernon K. Am J Nephrol. 2017;45(1):60–62[LH9.1].
  11. Szebeni J, et al. Br J Pharmacol. 2015;172(21):5025–5036[LH10.1].
  12. Gómez-Ramírez S, et al. Blood Transfus. 2019;17(2):137–145.[LH11.1]
  13. Ferric carboxymaltose Product Information. Available at: https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent=&id=CP-2024-PI-01693-1 [accessed January 2026].
  14. Ferric derisomaltose Product Information. Available at: https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent=&id=CP-2017-PI-02746-1 [accessed January 2026].
  15. Canning S & Grannell L. Australian Prescriber 2020;43:160-3

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