A randomized open-label study to compare iron content in the blood of healthy subjects treated with Tasiron tablets containing ferric di-phosphate as compared to tablets containing ferrous ascorbate

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) frequently affects reproductive-age women, pregnant women, and children of growing age, particularly in developing countries like India. Traditional oral iron supplementation has various side effects, and therefore, liposomal technology has been introduced. This study compared serum iron levels in healthy adult female subjects treated with Tasiron tablets containing 30 mg (elemental iron) of micronized liposomal ferric di-phosphate, with those administered with tablets containing 100 mg (elemental iron) of ferrous ascorbate, over 15 days. The test group (n=7) received 30 mg of micronized liposomal ferric di-phosphate and the control group (n=7) received 100 mg of ferrous ascorbate. Serum levels of iron, hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin were measured from samples collected on days 1, 8, and 16 of the treatment periods. Higher iron content and hemoglobin levels were found at day 16 (p<0.05) and day 8 (p<0.05) as compared to day 1 in both groups. The test group received one-third the dose of iron that was administered to the control group. The group receiving 100 mg ferrous ascorbate had higher ferritin levels at day 8 (p<0.01) and day 16 (p<0.01) as compared to day 1. In the group receiving ferrous ascorbate, transferrin levels decreased on day 8 and 16. In contrast, there was an increase in transferrin levels in the group receiving liposomal iron. Oral liposomal iron effectively increases iron content and hemoglobin levels at one-third the concentration as compared to ferrous ascorbate. Further studies on larger numbers with a longer follow-up are required.