The chart below compares ferrous sulphate tablets (at varying concentrations & bioavailabilities) with the approximate number of Spatone sachets required to potentially absorb the equivalent amount of iron.
Note: on average, only 30% of the pills total iron content is elemental (i.e. available for absorption).
|
Ferrous Sulphate
|
Average 30% Elemental Iron Content
|
Bioavailability1
|
Potential
Absorbed
Iron
|
Equivalent Spatone sachets required to potentially absorb the same quantity of iron2
|
|
65mg
65mg
|
19.5mg
19.5mg
|
5%
10%
|
1.0mg
1.9mg
|
0.5
0.9
|
|
100mg
100mg
|
30.0mg
30.0mg
|
5%
10%
|
1.5mg
3.0mg
|
0.7
1.5
|
|
200mg
200mg
|
60.0mg
60.0mg
|
5%
10%
|
3.0mg
6.0mg
|
1.5
3.0
|
|
325mg
325mg
|
97.5mg
97.5mg
|
5%
10%
|
4.8mg
9.7mg
|
2.4
4.8
|
Note: The above figures are a guide only.
1 iron bioavailability decreases considerably when the amount taken increases above 100mg.
2 Assumes patients are iron deficient. Spatonebioavailability of 40% is used throughout the comparison because even if the content of 3 sachets are consumed, the total amount of iron administered is only 15mg therefore a drop in bioavailability should not occur.
“2 - 4 milligrams of dietary iron is the most that can be absorbed under normal circumstances” (Goodman & Gilman: The Pharmacological basis of Therapeutics).
Note: Spatone is not being suggested as a blanket replacement for other Ferrous Sulphate preparations.
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