Ferrlecit® (sodium ferric gluconate complex in sucrose injection), an iron replacement product, is a stable macromolecular complex with an apparent molecular weight on gel chromatography of 289,000 – 440,000 daltons. The macromolecular complex is negatively charged at alkaline pH and is present in solution with sodium cations. The product has a deep red color indicative of ferric oxide linkages. The chemical name is D-Gluconic acid, iron (3+) sodium salt.

The structural formula is considered to be [NaFe₂O₃(C₆H₁₁O₇)(C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁)5]n≈200•

Each sterile, single-use ampule or vial of 5 mL of Ferrlecit for intravenous injection contains 62.5 mg (12.5 mg/mL) of elemental iron as the sodium salt of a ferric ion carbohydrate complex in an alkaline aqueous solution with approximately 20% sucrose w/v (195 mg/mL) in water for injection, pH 7.7 - 9.7.

Each mL contains 9 mg of benzyl alcohol as an inactive ingredient.

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/31/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.