Drug Reference
Ferric Maltol
Iron trivalent, oral preparations
Rx only
Fact box
- Therapeutic class
- Iron trivalent, oral preparations
- Habit forming
- No
- Availability
- Prescription (Rx)
Brand names
Accrufer
Available as
30 MG · Oral Capsule
FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ACCRUFER is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency in adult and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older. ACCRUFER is an iron replacement product indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency in adult and pediatric patients 10 years of age and older. ( 1 )
How it works
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action ACCRUFER delivers iron for uptake across the intestinal wall and transfer to transferrin and ferritin. 12.2 Pharmacodynamics ACCRUFER has been shown to increase serum iron parameters, including ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Adults The pharmacokinetic properties of serum iron after administration of ACCRUFER was assessed in subjects with iron deficiency (with or without anemia) following a single dose and at steady state (after 1 week) of ACCRUFER 30 mg, 60 mg, or 90 mg twice daily (1 to 3 times the approved recommended dosage). Total serum iron concentrations increase in a less than dose proportional manner with increasing ACCRUFER doses. Total serum iron peak values were reached 1.5 to 3 hours after administration of ACCRUFER, and were comparable between Day 1 and Day 8. Pediatric Population In a pharmacokinetic substudy of the FORTIS trial [see Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )] in pediatric patients with iron-deficiency anemia, ferric maltol 15 mg or 30 mg was administered orally twice daily, for 7-10 days in children aged 10 to <18 years. After a single dose of 30 mg on Day 1, baseline-corrected serum iron reached peak concentration (C max = 119 µg/dL) at 2 hours, with a AUC 0-t of 374 h·µg/dL in children aged 12 to <18 years. After a single dose of 15 mg on Day 1, baseline-corrected serum iron reached peak concentration (C max = 40 µg/dL) at 2.1 hours, with a AUC 0-t of 60.1 h·µg/dL in children aged 10 to 11 years. No accumulation of maltol glucuronide was observed. Absorption ACCRUFER dissociates upon uptake from the gastrointestinal tract allowing iron and maltol to be absorbed separately. Effect of Food Food has been shown to decrease the bioavailability of iron after administration of ferric maltol capsules. Drug Interaction Studies In vitro Of the drugs screened for an interaction with ferric maltol in vitro at pH 1.2, 4.5 and 6.8, only mycophenolate and ethinyl estradiol showed any potential for interaction. Mycophenolate recovery was reduced by up to 16% at pH 1.2 but there was no interaction at pH 4.5; due to solubility issues data are not available for pH 6.8. Ethinyl estradiol recovery was reduced by up to 35% at pH 4.5; due to solubility issues data are not available for pH 1.2 and pH 6.8. These potential oral interactions can be avoided by spacing the administration of those drugs and ACCRUFER [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] . Lisinopril, metoprolol and warfarin showed no interaction at any of the 3 pH conditions and can be taken with ACCRUFER. No interaction with ferric maltol was observed for atorvastatin (pH 6.8), and norgestimate (pH 1.2) (data were not obtainable at the other pH conditions due to solubility issues). In vivo No clinical studies evaluating the drug interaction potential of ACCRUFER have been conducted. Iron-containing preparations may decrease ciprofloxacin absorption into the blood
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 30 mg orally twice daily on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals ( 2.1 ) Swallow capsules whole. Do not open, break, or chew capsules. ( 2.1 ) Continue as long as necessary to replenish body iron stores ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage Adults and Children Aged 10 Years and Above The recommended dosage of ACCRUFER is 30 mg orally twice daily, on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Swallow capsules whole. Do not open, break, or chew capsules. Treatment duration will depend on the severity of iron deficiency but generally at least 12 weeks of treatment is required. The treatment should be continued as long as necessary until ferritin levels are within the normal range.
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Increased Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Flare [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Iron Overload [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence > 1%) are flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, feces discolored, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort/distension. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Shield Therapeutics Inc at 1-888-963-6267 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to ACCRUFER in 175 adult patients in the placebo-controlled phase of three randomized studies conducted in patients with anemia and quiescent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Studies AEGIS 1 & 2) or non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease (CKD) (AEGIS 3). The pooled patient population had a mean age of 58 years, 67.4% were female (n=118), and 81.7% (n=143) were Caucasian. Table 1 presents all adverse reactions occurring in the placebo-controlled period of the pooled randomized studies [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] occurring at a rate of > 1% in the treated group, and for which the rate for ACCRUFER exceeds the rate for placebo. Table 1. Adverse Reactions Reported by ≥1% of Patients Treated with ACCRUFER During Placebo-Controlled Period of Pooled Studies (Studies AEGIS1/2 and AEGIS 3) ACCRUFER 30 mg Twice Daily (N = 175) Placebo (N = 120) Body System Adverse Reaction Gastrointestinal Flatulence 4.6% 0.0% Diarrhea 4.0% 1.7% Constipation 4.0% 0.8% Feces discolored 4.0% 0.8% Abdominal pain 2.9% 2.5% Nausea 1.7% 0.8% Vomiting 1.7% 0.0% Abdominal discomfort 1.1% 0.0% Abdominal distension 1.1% 0.0% The proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions during the double-blind, placebo-controlled portion of studies was 4.6% for patients taking ACCRUFER. The most common adverse reaction leading to discontinuation of ACCRUFER in these studies was abdominal pain (1.7% of patients). Pediatric Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia The safety profile of ACCRUFER in pediatric patients was assessed in 24 patients aged 10 to <18 years of age enrolled to the FORTIS trial and treated with ACCRUFER. Overall, the safety profile reported in pediatric patients was consistent with the safety profile reported in adult patients with iron deficiency anemia.
Safety advice
Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.
PregnancyConsult your doctor
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary ACCRUFER is not absorbed systemically as an intact complex following oral administration, and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the drug [see…
BreastfeedingConsult your doctor
…8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of ACCRUFER in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
LiverNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS IBD Flare: Avoid use in patients with IBD flare ( 5.1 ) Iron Overload: Do not administer to patients with iron overload or those receiving intravenous iron. ( 5.2 ) Risk of Overdosage in Children Due to Accidental Ingestion: Keep out of reach of children. ( 5.3 ) 5.1 Increased Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Flare Avoid use of ACCRUFER in patients with an active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare, as there is potential risk of increased inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. 5.2 Iron Overload Excessive therapy with iron products can lead to excess storage of iron with the possibility of iatrogenic hemosiderosis. Do not administer ACCRUFER to patients with evidence of iron overload or patients receiving intravenous iron [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Assess iron parameters prior to initiating ACCRUFER and monitor iron parameters while on therapy [see Overdosage ( 10 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] . 5.3 Risk of Overdosage in Children Due to Accidental Ingestion Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS ACCRUFER is contraindicated in patients with a history of: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients [see Description ( 11 )] . Reactions could include shock, clinically significant hypotension, loss of consciousness, and/or collapse. Hemochromatosis and other iron overload syndromes [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Use may result in iron overdose [see Overdosage ( 10 )]. Receiving repeated blood transfusions. Use may result in iron overload [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) and Overdosage ( 10 )]. Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipient ( 4 ) Hemochromatosis and other iron overload syndromes ( 4 ) Patients receiving repeated blood transfusions ( 4 )
Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Dimercaprol : Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.2 ) Oral Medications : Separate administration of ACCRUFER from certain oral medications. Monitor clinical responses as appropriate. ( 7.1 , 7.2 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on ACCRUFER Oral Medications There are no empirical data on avoiding drug interactions between ACCRUFER and concomitant oral medications. Concomitant use of some drugs may reduce the bioavailability of iron after administration of ACCRUFER. Separate the administration of ACCRUFER from these drugs. The duration of separation may depend on the absorption characteristics of the medication concomitantly administered, such as time to peak concentration or whether the drug is an immediate or extended release product. Monitor clinical response to ACCRUFER. 7.2 Effect of ACCRUFER on Other Drugs Dimercaprol Concomitant use of iron products with dimercaprol may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity. Avoid concomitant use of ACCRUFER with dimercaprol. Oral Medications Concomitant use of ACCRUFER may decrease the bioavailability of some drugs, including mycophenolate, ethinyl estradiol, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . For oral drugs where reductions in bioavailability may cause clinically significant effects on its safety or efficacy, separate the administration of ACCRUFER by at least 4 hours. Monitor clinical responses to concomitant drugs as appropriate.
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE No data are available regarding overdose of ACCRUFER in patients. Acute iron ingestion of 20 mg/kg elemental iron is potentially toxic and 200- 250 mg/kg is potentially fatal. Early signs and symptoms of iron overdose may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. In more serious cases there may be evidence of hypoperfusion, metabolic acidosis and systemic toxicity. Dosages of ACCRUFER in excess of iron needs may lead to accumulation of iron in storage sites leading to hemosiderosis. Periodic monitoring of iron parameters such as serum ferritin and transferrin saturation may assist in recognizing iron accumulation. Do not administer ACCRUFER to patients with iron overload [ see Contraindications ( 4 ) ] . Consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdose management recommendations.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)
Authoritative sources
Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.