Comparison between Iberet Folic® and Zincofer® in treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy

Muhammad Azrai Abu; Azniza Suriati Borhan; Abdul Kadir Abdul Karim; Mohd Faizal Ahmad; Zaleha Abdullah Mahdy

doi:10.1515/hmbci-2020-0034

Article

Comparison between Iberet Folic^® and Zincofer^® in treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in pregnancy

Muhammad Azrai Abu , Azniza Suriati Borhan , Abdul Kadir Abdul Karim , Mohd Faizal Ahmad and Zaleha Abdullah Mahdy

Published/Copyright: December 14, 2020

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From the journal Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation Volume 42 Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives

To compare the effect of Iberet Folic^®and Zincofer^® on haemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin level; and its adverse effect.

Methods

This randomised controlled trial conducted from January 2018 until December 2018. Pregnant women below 34 weeks of gestation, with Hb concentration less than 11 g/dL and serum ferritin level less than 12 ug/L were randomised to receive either one tablet Zincofer^® or one tablet Iberet Folate^® daily for four weeks. Both groups were compared in terms of effect on Hb level, serum ferritin level, and other haematological indices adverse effect related to treatment, and treatment cost.

Results

Hundred and thirty patients were recruited in this study with 68 patients in Iberet Folic group and 62 patients in Zincofer group. The change in the Hb and serum ferritin level from baseline to day 30 did not differ significantly between treatment groups. The mean (±SD) change from baseline to day 30 was 2.15 (±0.59) g/dL in the Iberet Folic group, and 1.98 (±0.49) in the Zincofer (p value = 0.08). Mean serum ferritin at day 30 was 17.2 (±3.68) ug/L and 16.7 (±4.28) ug/L with 8.44 (±3.41) and 8.55 (±3.50) difference, respectively (p = 0.86). Adverse events were comparable in between groups, with p value >0.05. GI intolerance and constipation were among the common side effects, occurred in 34.6 and 29.2% cases, respectively.

Conclusions

Zincofer^® offers equivalent efficacy and side effect profile in comparison with Iberet Folic^® for the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) during pregnancy, but with lower cost.

Keywords: ferrous fumarate; ferrous sulphate with gradumet; iron deficiency anaemia

Corresponding author: Dr. Muhammad Azrai Abu, MD, MOG(UKM), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, UKM Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, E-mail: azraiabu1983@gmail.com

Acknowledgement

Nil.

Research funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sector.
Author contributions: MAA and ASB coordinated the data collection. Analysis and drafted of the manuscript carried out by AKAK and MFA, with input from ZAM. All authors read and approved the final draft version of the manuscript.
Competing interests: None declared.
Informed consent: All participants provided voluntary, written, informed consent.
Ethical approval: This study was registered on Research and Ethical Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (FF-2015-226). The trial was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, the International Conference on Harmonization Guidelines for Good Clinical Practise, and local regulatory requirements.

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Received: 2020-05-28

Accepted: 2020-11-22

Published Online: 2020-12-14

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2020-0034

Keywords for this article

ferrous fumarate; ferrous sulphate with gradumet; iron deficiency anaemia