Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer which is suitable for being administered parenterally from a saccharide, a polyhydric alcohol and a polymerization agent and to the polymer prepared therefrom. The invention relates also to an iron preparation suitable for parenteral -- intramuscular and intravenous -- injection, to a process for the preparation of the iron preparation, and to the use of the injectable iron preparations in human and veterinary medicine.

Abstract: An iron-containing composition suitable for parenteral administration in human and veterinary medicine consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of a complex of iron, said complex containing iron bound to a physiologically innocuous, water swellable polymer which is the reaction product ofI. at least one hydroxy carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of arabonic acid, gluconic acid and glucoheptonic acid and salts and lactones derivable therefrom;Ii. at least one polyhydric alcohol selected from the class consisting of glycerol, polyglycerols, tetritols, pentitols, hexitols, heptitols, with alkyl groups containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms partially etherified derivatives of said polyhydric alcohols, and with hydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms partially etherified derivatives of said polyhydric alcohols; andIii. at least one polymerizing agent selected from the group consisting of dihalohydrins and epihalohydrins and diepoxides derivable therefrom, and mixtures thereof.