Structure, chemistry, and pharmacokinetics of intravenous iron agents.

Abstract

All intravenous (IV) iron agents are colloids that consist of spheroidal iron-carbohydrate nanoparticles. At the core of each particle is an iron-oxyhydroxide gel. The core is surrounded by a shell of carbohydrate that stabilizes the iron-oxyhydroxide, slows the release of bioactive iron, and