Review will assess risk of low blood phosphate levels and related bone problems with injectable iron medicines

EMA’s safety committee, PRAC, has started a review of injectable iron-containing medicines following concerns about the risk of hypophosphataemia (low blood phosphate levels) and related bone problems, including osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Phosphate is important for keeping bones healthy. When phosphate levels become too low, osteomalacia can occur causing symptoms such as bone pain. In some cases, it can result in fractures. 

Injectable iron-containing medicines are used to treat iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia (low red blood cell levels) when iron taken by mouth does not work well enough, cannot be used, or when iron levels need to be restored quickly.

Hypophosphataemia and hypophosphataemic osteomalacia (softening of the bones caused by low blood phosphate levels) are known side effects of injectable iron medicines containing the active…