PROCESS FOR PREPARING AN IRON-SACCHARIDE COMPLEX

1377006 Iron-saccharide complex CENTRAL PHARMACAL CO 16 Aug 1972 [18 Aug 1971] 38214/72 Heading C2C [Also in Division C3] A process for the preparation of an ironsaccharide complex comprises (a) mixing a saccharide selected from a low molecular weight dextrin having a dextrose equivalent of above 66, maltose and glucose and a water-soluble ferric compound with water in amounts equivalent to 20 to 65 parts by weight of the ferric compound to 100 parts by weight of the saccharide, (b) adding alkali to bring the pH to between 11 and 14 and maintaining the temperature below 95‹ C., (c) after mixing, heating to between 60‹ and 95‹ C. until a homogeneous mixture is formed, (d) adding to the alkaline mixture a non-solvent for the complex to precipitate it and (e) separating the precipitate. The alkali is preferably added in two parts, the first part being added until ferric hydroxide precipitation is complete but the pH is below 7 and after mixing the solution, the second part being added to bring the pH to between 11 and 14. The complex produced by the preferred method has an iron content of between 40 and 46% by weight and forms a stable aqueous solution between pH ranges of 1 to 1À5 Œ 0À3 and 5À7 Œ 0À3 to 14. The complex is used in treating iron-deficiency anaemia and may be administered orally.