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Iron absorption from chewable vitamins with iron versus iron tablets: implications for toxicity
J G Linakis1, P G Lacouture, A Woolf
1Program in Clinical Pharmacology/Toxicology, Children's Hospital, Boston.
Pediatric Emergency Care
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Iron absorption from chewable multivitamins is faster and greater than from ferrous fumarate tablets. This suggests multivitamins could cause severe iron poisoning if overdosed, though this is rarely seen.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Severe iron poisoning is rarely reported from chewable multivitamins.
- Poor iron absorption from multivitamins is a potential explanation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare iron absorption from multivitamins versus ferrous fumarate tablets.
- To investigate the potential for iron overdose toxicity from multivitamins.
Main Methods:
- A crossover study involving adult male volunteers.
- Administration of 6 mg Fe/kg body weight from multivitamins or ferrous fumarate.
- Monitoring of serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) over six hours.
Main Results:
- Significantly increased and more rapid iron absorption from multivitamins.
- Iron absorption profiles differed between the two preparations.
Conclusions:
- Iron is well absorbed from chewable multivitamins.
- Multivitamins have theoretical potential for serious iron toxicity in overdose.
- Further research is needed to explain the low incidence of observed toxicity.