Table of Contents
What are Haematinics?
Haematinics are substances that provide suitable conditions for blood component formation and support the process of blood formation known as erythropoiesis. They generally contain iron or ferrous compounds essential for blood metabolism and prevention of iron deficiency syndromes. Supporting elements like zinc, copper, vitamins, and folic acid are also included.
Bone marrow is the zone of blood component formation — producing RBCs, WBCs, and platelets. Haemoglobin is the iron-rich red protein present in RBCs that carries oxygen throughout the body.
Classification of Haematinics
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Iron containing — Oral | Ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulphate, carbonyl iron, ferric ammonium citrate |
| Iron containing — Parenteral | Iron dextran, ferrous sucrose |
| Maturation activity | Vitamin B12, folic acid |
| Haematinic adjuvants | Copper, pyridoxine, riboflavin |
Ferrous Sulphate
- Formula: FeSO₄
- Molar Mass: 151.91 g/mol
- Also known as: Green vitriol, Melanterite, Copperas
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Color & State | White crystalline powder; heptahydrate form is blue-green |
| Odour & Taste | Odourless; metallic taste |
| Solubility | Soluble in water; negligible solubility in alcohol and ethylene glycol |
- Preparation: Tablets, capsules, syrup, pills, oral drops.
- Brand names: Folfes-Plus, Feosol, Ferroealth, E-Folifer Kid.
- Storage: Well-closed, airtight container; away from light, moisture, and incompatible materials at room temperature
Uses:
- Treatment and prevention of iron deficiency anaemia
- Iron supplementation during pregnancy — maintains iron status in both mother and child
- Highly required during menstruation
Ferrous Fumarate
- Formula: C₄H₂FeO₄
- Molar Mass: 169.90 g/mol
- Also known as: Feostat, Iron(II) fumarate
- Iron content: 32.87% — one 300 mg tablet contains 98.6 mg of elemental iron
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Color & State | Reddish-orange powder |
| Odour & Taste | Odourless; metallic taste |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; negligibly soluble in ethanol |
- Preparation: Tablets, capsules, syrup, pills, oral drops.
- Brand names: Ferroplus, Naviglobin, Livogen Z, Autrin
- Storage: Well-closed, airtight container; away from light and moisture at room temperature
Uses:
- Treatment of iron deficiency anaemia
- Replaces iron in haemoglobin, myoglobin, and enzymes — enables oxygen transport
- Combined with folic acid to treat anaemia caused by iron or folate deficiency
Ferric Ammonium Citrate
- Formula: (NH₄)₅[Fe(C₆H₄O₇)₂]
- Molar Mass: 488.16 g/mol
- Also known as: Ferriseltz
Preparation: Reaction of ferric hydroxide with citric acid, followed by treatment with ammonium hydroxide, evaporation, and drying.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Color & State | Yellowish-brown to red solid crystals |
| Odour & Taste | Ammonia-like odour; saline or ferruginous taste |
| Solubility | Greatly soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol |
- Preparation: Tablets, capsules, syrup, oral drops.
- Brand names: Ferigold, Cutifer, Ferrous-M, Adrovit-Plus.
- Storage: Well-closed, airtight container; away from light and moisture at room temperature
Uses:
- Treatment of iron deficiency anaemia
- Replenishes iron as an essential constituent of haemoglobin formation
- Controls phosphorus levels in adults with chronic kidney disease
Ferrous Ascorbate
- Formula: C₁₂H₁₄FeO₁₂
- Molar Mass: 406.08 g/mol
- Also known as: Iron(2+) di-L-ascorbate, L-ascorbic acid iron salt
- Iron content: 16%
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Color & State | Blue-violet crystalline powder |
| Odour & Taste | Odourless; metallic iron taste |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, methanol, and ethanol |
- Preparation: Tablets, capsules, syrup, pills, oral drops.
- Brand names: Firolin-XT, Kryptofer-XT, Fericib-XT, Brisfer.
- Storage: Well-closed, airtight container; away from light and moisture at room temperature
Uses:
- Treatment of iron deficiency anaemia
- Combination of iron and Vitamin C — helps manage gastric problems and aids digestion
- Controls phosphorus levels in chronic kidney disease
Carbonyl Iron
Formula: Fe(CO)₅ | Molar Mass: 195.9 g/mol
Carbonyl iron is a highly pure form of iron prepared by chemical decomposition of purified iron pentacarbonyl.
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Color & State | Pale yellow or straw-coloured liquid |
| Odour & Taste | Pungent odour; metallic taste |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water and ammonia; soluble in organic solvents; slightly soluble in alcohol |
- Preparation: Tablets, capsules, syrup, oral drops.
- Brand names: Irontic, Hefer-Z, Mycarb, Carvifol, Arfol-Z
- Storage: Well-closed, airtight container; away from light and moisture at room temperature
Uses:
- Supplement to treat or prevent low blood iron levels caused by anaemia or pregnancy
- Helps the body produce red blood cells that carry oxygen to tissues and organs
D.Pharma 1st Year — All Subjects Notes
D.Pharma 2nd Year — All Subjects Notes