Influence of food on the absorption from different types of iron tablets

The influence of a standardized breakfast meal on the absorption of iron from two types of iron tablets - rapidly-disintegrating and slow-release tablets - was studied in 24 healthy subjects, using a serum iron technique and whole-body counter measurements. The meal markedly reduced the absorption of iron from both types of tablets. An 8-fold reduction was found with the rapidly-disintegrating tablets and a 3-fold reduction with the slow-release tablets. Under fasting conditions the rapidly-disintegrating tablets were significantly better absorbed than the slow-release tablets, whereas the reverse was found when the tablets were given with the meal.