[Bioavailability of orally administered iron. Effects of alginate/antacid administration]

Sideropenia is often encountered in medical practice; the iron preparation that presents the highest bioavailability is unquestionably iron sulphate. This compound, however, frequently provokes numerous side-effects that induce the patient to suspend treatment. Here it is shown that the bioavailability of the drug is not changed after intake of alginic acid, while side-effects are considerably reduced.