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About Bifera® Iron Supplement

Bifera® is an over-the-counter iron supplement indicated for improving the nutritional status of patients with iron deficiency.

 

It is the FIRST and ONLY over-the-counter iron supplement containing a unique dual iron combination of heme and non-heme iron, resulting in greater absorption and improved iron stores while minimizing GI side effects.

 

Heme iron is a biologic form of iron that has been shown to be effective in clinical studies. Heme iron is better absorbed than non-heme irons and may minimize the level of gastrointestinal side effects associated with the non-heme irons, such as diarrhea, constipation and nausea. (Non-heme irons include ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate and ferrous fumarate.)

 

The combination of heme and non-heme iron in Bifera Iron Supplement is likely to increase total iron absorption by up to 40%.

 

The primary reason for failure of oral iron therapy is poor compliance, often related to frequent gastrointestinal side effects, which may affect more than 25% of patients. An estimated 20% of patients who start oral iron therapy discontinue their medication because of side effects.

 

Bifera Iron Supplement may encourage patient compliance because it can be taken with or without food unlike many non-heme iron supplements. In addition, Bifera does not require additional ingredients, such as Vitamin C, to facilitate absorption, and because the incidence of constipation is less than with traditional irons, the need for a stool softener may be less likely. Patient compliance may be further improved by the reduction of gastrointestinal side effects as compared to traditional iron alone.

 

 

  1. Ekman M, Reizenstein P. Comparative absorption of ferrous and heme-iron with meals in normal and iron deficient subjects. Z Ernährungswiss. 1993;32:67-70
  2. Seligman PA, Moore GM, Schleicher RB. Clinical studies of HIP: An oral heme-iron product. Nutr Res. 2000;20(9):1279-1286.
  3. Frykman E, Bystrom M, Jansson U, Edberg A, Hansen T. Side effects of iron supplements in blood donors: superior tolerance of heme iron. J Lab Clin Med. 1994;123:561-564.
  4. A Physician’s Guide to Oral Iron Supplements, National Anemia Action Council. 11/6/2008; Available at www.anemia.org/professionals/feature-articles/content.php?contentid=306§ionid=15 Accessed 2/1/2010.