Relative bioavailability of iron from two different iron tablets used in the Indonesian iron supplementation program

The relative bioavailability of two different iron tablets which are used in the Indonesian iron supplementation program was determined, because low bioavailability of iron might decrease the impact of the program. In two studies volunteers (n = 12, n = 6) received 120 mg elemental iron either as two iron tablets, each containing 60 mg elemental iron, or as an aqueous Fe(II)-sulphate solution in a randomized cross-over design. Plasma iron concentrations were measured before, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 hours after dosing. For each of the tablets and solutions, the positive area under the concentration/time curve (AUC⁺), the peak plasma level (C(max)), the time to reach the peak plasma level (t(max)) and the relative bioavailability were determined. Relative bioavailability of both tablets was high (106.9 ± 24.3%) and 116.3 ± 43.1%). This indicates a good therapeutical efficacy of both tablets. In case where low effectiveness of iron supplementation programs is recorded, factors other than low bioavailability of iron in the tablets must be responsible.