As effective as iron dextran for iron therapy but less likely to induce an anaphylactoid reaction.
More readily available for erythropoiesis than dextran iron therapy.
It is not necessary to administer a test dose during first-time administration.
Intravenous iron sucrose added to ESAs results in a greater hemoglobin response, a shorter time to reach hemoglobin greater than 2 g/dL compared to ESA therapy alone in lymphoma patients (Hedenus DH et al).
In a randomized study of 375 patients with cancer or cancer chemotherapy induced anemia comparing the ESAs alone or iron sucrose plus ESA therapy: Resulted in higher maximum hemoglobin levels in the combination treatment (Anthony LB et al).
Iron sucrose can be administered 200 mg over 5 min. without serious adverse events or intolerance.
With first exposure to IV iron has the lowest risk of anaphylaxis of iron products.