A comprehensive review of the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of ferric maltol (FM), an oral iron formulation, highlights its utility in treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Utilizing various sources like MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and other clinical data, this review focuses on English language literature assessing FM in IDA treatment, especially in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). FM stands out for its improved tolerability compared to other iron formulations, with phase 3 trials indicating significant benefits in anemia management and serum iron parameters.

FM presents a promising alternative to oral iron salts for patients with IBD or CKD and IDA, and emerging evidence suggests its noninferiority to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose in IBD patients. When considering FM, factors such as the time needed to normalize hemoglobin levels, administration convenience, cost, and tolerance are crucial. Ultimately, FM emerges as a relatively safe and effective oral therapy option, potentially offering a better-tolerated alternative to IV iron for patients with IBD.

Reference: Khoury A, Pagan KA, Farland MZ. Ferric Maltol: A New Oral Iron Formulation for the Treatment of Iron Deficiency in Adults. Ann Pharmacother. 2021 Feb;55(2):222-229. doi: 10.1177/1060028020941014. Epub 2020 Jul 7. PMID: 32633548.