Can I take iron sucrose while pregnant or breastfeeding?

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Published studies on intravenous iron sucrose treatment after the first trimester of pregnancy have not shown adverse maternal or fetal outcomes ( see Data ). Available reports of intravenous iron sucrose use in pregnant women during the first trimester are insufficient to assess the risk of major birth defects and miscarriage.

Prescribing label, section “8.1 Pregnancy” (opening excerpt): Iron Sucrose (intravenous), International Medication Systems, Limited. Read the full section on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

This quote is from the intravenous formulation label.

Limited data indicate that breastmilk iron is not increased after intravenous infusion of iron sucrose. Amounts of iron ingested by the infant would be normal and are not expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. The oral form of the drug, called sucroferric oxyhydroxide and used as a phosphate binder, is not orally absorbed and it is unlikely to reach the breastmilk or adversely affect the breastfed infant. No special precautions are required. For additional information on iron use during breastfeeding, see the monograph on Iron Salts.

“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Iron Sucrose” (LM583), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Iron Sucrose while breastfeeding.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Iron Sucrose is present in human milk, and available published reports following exposure to 100-300 mg intravenous iron sucrose have not reported adverse reactions in breastfed infants ( see Data ). There are no data on the effects on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered, along with the mother’s clinical need for Iron Sucrose Injection and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Iron Sucrose Injection or from the underlying maternal condition. Data A published study showed no difference in iron concentration in the colostrum of 10 iron deficient breastfeeding women who were 2 to 3 days postpartum and received a single dose of 100 mg of intravenous iron sucrose compared to 5 breastfeeding women who received no iron. These results may underestimate the amount of iron in breastmilk following the standard dose of Iron Sucrose Injection.

Prescribing label, section “8.2 Lactation” (opening excerpt): Iron Sucrose (intravenous), International Medication Systems, Limited. Read the full section on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.

This quote is from the intravenous formulation label.