Deferoxamine (By injection)

de-fer-OX-a-meen

Treats iron toxicity. This medicine is an iron chelator (binder).

Drug classes

Heavy Metal Chelator (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Deferoxamine injection is used to remove excess iron from the body in anemia or thalassemia patients who have many blood transfusions. It is also used with other medicines to treat acute iron poisoning, especially in small children.

Deferoxamine combines with iron in the blood. The combination of iron and deferoxamine is then removed from the body by the kidneys. If you have too much iron in the body, it can damage various organs and tissues.

This medicine is to be administered only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, deferoxamine is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:

Aluminum toxicity (too much aluminum in the body).

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Injectable

Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

. Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.

Do not shake the medicine. Use each vial only 1 time. Throw away any medicine that is left in the vial after your dose. Do not use the medicine if it has changed color or has particles in it.

Once the medicine is mixed, you should use it within 3 hours. Throw away any mixed medicine that has not been used within this time.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Missed dose: You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines can affect how deferoxamine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

Prochlorperazine Vitamin C supplements

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to deferoxamine, have severe kidney disease, or are not able to urinate.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, heart disease, thyroid problems, any type of infection, or a history of seizures. Tell your doctor if you are receiving dialysis treatment.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Vision or hearing problems Kidney problems A serious lung condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome Slow growth in children

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

This medicine may turn your urine red. This is normal.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Chest pain, trouble breathing, blue lips, fingernails, or skin

Decrease in how much or how often you urinate

Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches

Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

Rapid weight gain. swelling in your face, hands, ankles, or feet

Unusual tiredness or weakness

Unusual bleeding or bruising

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

Vision or hearing changes

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Desferal

There may be other brand names for this medicine.