Drug insight: Safety of intravenous iron supplementation with sodium ferric gluconate complex.

Optimal management of anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis usually demands intravenous iron supplementation. Michael et al. review the current safety data for the nondextran intravenous iron formulation sodium ferric gluconate complex, and examine the emerging concerns related to use of intravenous iron, including the risks of infection, oxidative stress and cell toxicity.