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How does Spatone compare to iron tablets?

How does Spatone compare

If you are found to be iron deficient your doctor or pharmacist will advise you to take an iron supplement to boost your iron levels. However, not all iron supplements are the same and many people experience unpleasant side-effects from conventional iron tablets due to the following reason:

Iron absorption from conventional ferrous sulphate (iron) tablets is estimated to be up to 10%1. That means you take a high dose of iron (usually around 65mg) but only absorb a little.
Your iron levels may be effectively rectified but the iron you can’t absorb is excreted, causing the
unpleasant side effects (e.g. constipation, nausea or headaches) that force many people to stop taking their prescribed medicines.

Unlike conventional iron tablets, Spatone has been scientifically shown to help prevent iron deficiency (even during pregnancy, a time where iron requirements almost triple!) whilst causing fewer of the unpleasant side effects associated with iron supplementation.

Because you take a low dose of iron (one sachet of Spatone contains only 5mg of elemental iron) but absorb a lot (40%!), it stands to reason that your body doesn’t need to excrete as much.

Thanks to Spatone's low dose of iron but high absorption rate you are unlikely to experience any of the unpleasant side-effects that are so commonly experienced with iron tablets.

The below table compares standard ferrous sulphate tablets (at 65mg and 100mg doses) with the approximate number of Spatone sachets required to potentially absorb the equivalent amount of iron.


Ferrous Sulphate Tablet
Elemental   Iron Content(estimated at 30%)  Absorption Rate1   Estimated

Absorbed Iron

Equivalent number of Spatone sachets required
 

65mg

   

19.5mg

 

10%

 

1.9mg

 

0.9

 

100mg

 

30.0mg

 

10%

 

3.0mg

 

1.5

 

The below assumptions apply:

Assumes patients are iron deficient.

Only 30% of the iron in iron tablets is estimated to be elemental (i.e. available for absorption).

The absorption of conventional ferrous sulphate (iron) tablets is estimated
to be up to 10%1.

Iron bioavailability decreases considerably when the amount taken increases above 100mg.

4 mg of dietary iron is the most that can be absorbed under normal circumstances” (Goodman & Gilman: The Pharmacological basis of Therapeutics).

An adult woman needs to absorb between 1.5-2mg of iron per day.

Spatone bioavailability of 40% is used throughout the comparison.


Note: The above figures are a guide only. Spatone is not being suggested as a blanket replacement for other ferrous sulphate preparations. Consult your Healthcare Professional before stopping any prescribed medicine.


1. D. McKenna (Royal Victoria Hospital) et al. 'a randomised trial investigating and iron-rich natural mineral water as a prophylaxis against iron deficiency in pregnancy' in Clinical and Laboratory Haematology, 2003, 25 99-103

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