Other Brands/Names

Desferal

How it Works

Deferoxamine is a medicine that binds excess iron and aluminum in the body. It is administered by injection, either intramuscularly, intravenously, or subcutaneously. This drug works by attaching to iron, allowing it to be removed from the body through urine.

Indications

Deferoxamine is prescribed for cases of acute iron poisoning and chronic iron overload, such as:

• Thalassemia (a blood disorder that leads to anemia)

• Sickle cell anemia (a genetic condition where red blood cells are abnormally shaped)

• Repeated blood transfusions

It may also be used for the treatments of aluminum overload.

Contraindications

This medication should not be given to patients with a known allergy to deferoxamine. Additionally, it cannot be given to patients with severe kidney disorders.

Side Effects

Some side effects that may occur include:

• Pain or redness at the injection site

• Nervous system issues such as dizziness, vision problems, or hearing loss

• Muscle and joint pain

• Reddish-brown urine

• Digestive complaints such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain

Types

Deferoxamine is available in vials containing 500 mg or 2 grams of powder for injection.

Dosage

Acute iron poisoning

• Adults and children aged 3 years and older: 1 gram by intramuscular injection, followed by 500 mg every 4 hours, twice a day. Maximum dose: 6 grams in 24 hours. No established dosage for children under 3 years.

Chronic iron overload

• Adults and children aged 3 years and older: 0.5–1 gram intramuscular injection daily. No established dosage for children under 3 years.

Safety

Deferoxamine is a prescription-only medicine. It belongs to Category C (animal studies have shown fetal risks, but no adequate studies exist in humans). It may be prescribed during pregnancy if the potential benefits of deferoxamine outweigh the risks that patients will experience.

Drug Interactions

Taking deferoxamine with phenothiazines (drugs used for mental health conditions) can increase nervous system side effects.Caution is advised if vitamin C is taken while undergoing deferoxamine therapy.

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