Deferoxamine
About
Deferoxamine belongs to the group of medicines called ‘chelating agents’ used to remove excess iron from the body in anemia or chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions in patients 2 years of age and older. It is also used with other medicines to treat acute iron poisoning, especially in small children. Besides this, Deferoxamine may also be used for high aluminum levels in dialysis patients and people with aluminum poisoning.
Deferoxamine contains Deferoxamine an iron-binding agent that belongs to a class of medicines called heavy metal antagonists. It works by binding trivalent (ferric) iron which has a strong affinity, forming ferrioxamine, a stable complex that prevents the iron from entering into further chemical reactions and also is eliminated from the body. It helps the kidneys and gallbladder get rid of the extra iron.
Deferoxamine will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck, and trunk), skin rash, hypotension (decreased pressure), change in color of urine to red, headache, upset stomach or throwing up, diarrhea, muscle or joint pain, irritation where the injection is given. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Deferoxamine for as long as your doctor has prescribed. To avoid recurring symptoms, do not stop it midway. Do not take Deferoxamine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy and breastfeeding unless prescribed by a doctor. Your doctor may advise you to undergo regular blood tests, kidney and liver tests, eye examinations, and hearing tests to monitor your condition. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Deferoxamine as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Inform your doctor about your health condition and medicines to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
Uses of Deferoxamine
Medicinal Benefits
Deferoxamine contains Deferoxamine an iron-chelating agent used for treating acute iron intoxication or emergency cases of iron poisoning. This medication can also be used to help get rid of iron in patients with high iron levels due to many blood transfusions. Deferoxamine works by forming a stable complex that prevents the iron and aluminum ions from entering into further chemical reactions and helping the kidneys and gallbladder eliminate the extra iron. This reduces the risk of organ damage.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Deferoxamine
- Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk)
- Skin rash
- Hypotension (decreased blood pressure)
- Change in color of urine to red
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Upset stomach or throwing up
- Diarrhea
- Muscle or joint pain
- Irritation where the injection is given
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Deferoxamine if you are allergic to Deferoxamine or any of the other ingredients in it. Inform your doctor if you have severe kidney problems and are on dialysis, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and any fungal infection. Do not take Deferoxamine if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding unless prescribed by a doctor. Deferoxamine may affect growth in children (especially those younger than 3 years of age) and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checkups while taking Deferoxamine. Your doctor may recommend to you regular eye tests and hearing tests. Deferoxamine can affect your vision and your hearing. Older adults (65 or older) may be more sensitive to the side effects of Deferoxamine, especially vision/hearing problems. Talk with your doctor before taking multivitamins, natural products, and diet aids. If you are using Deferoxamine to treat high iron levels, your doctor may advise you to take vitamin C (ascorbic acid) after using this medication for at least 1 month. Taking vitamin C will help replace vitamin C loss due to high iron levels and help the medication work to get rid of the iron. If you have a heart problem (heart failure), Deferoxamine should not be used with vitamin C (ascorbic acid) because severe interactions may occur. This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Inform your doctor and lab staff that you take Deferoxamine. If you are using Deferoxamine for aluminum poisoning, inform your doctor if you have seizures (fits), hypocalcemia (decreased calcium level in blood), and hyperparathyroidism.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Deferoxamine interacts with a medicine used to treat anxiety or schizophrenia (prochlorperazine), a medicine used to treat anemia (erythropoietin
Drug-Food Interactions: No interaction found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Deferoxamine should not be used in people with renal dysfunction, auditory dysfunction, hepatic impairment, ocular dysfunction, or respiratory distress syndrome.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is not known whether the Deferoxamine can interact with alcohol. However, you are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Deferoxamine to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionDeferoxamine is a pregnancy Category B medicine. It may not cause harm to an unborn fetus. However, Deferoxamine should be taken only when prescribed by a doctor only if he/she thinks benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionDeferoxamine should be used in breastfeeding mothers only if the benefits outweigh the risks as there is insufficient data available regarding the use of this medicine in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionAfter taking this drug, you can experience side effects like feeling dizzy, tired or alter your vision. If this occurs, do not drive or perform any work that requires a high level of concentration.
Liver
cautionDeferoxamine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may have to adjust the dose if there are symptoms of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine, or yellowing of skin/eye.
Kidney
cautionDeferoxamine should be used with caution in patients with renal impairment since the metal complexes are excreted via the kidneys. In these patients, dialysis will increase the elimination of chelated iron and aluminum. So, it should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. The dose may have to be adjusted by the doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedIn children below the age of 3 years, Deferoxamine may affect the growth. Regular checks on body weight and height are, therefore, recommended in children using Deferoxamine.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- It is essential to follow a specific diet plan created by your nutritionist to control health condition.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Special Advise
- Your doctor may advise you to take blood and urine tests while using Deferoxamine to examine your health condition and ensure that this medicine treats your condition.
- Eye examination and hearing tests are recommended while using Deferoxamine to affect your vision and hearing.
- X-rays or scan results may be affected by treatment with Deferoxamine. Inform your doctor that you are being treated with Deferoxamine if an X-ray or scan is suggested.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Iron intoxication: Iron poisoning occurs from the ingestion of excess iron or increases iron levels in the blood that results in acute toxicity. Excessive iron can be damaging to the gastrointestinal system. Iron is an essential mineral for blood production. Symptoms of iron toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Iron can also accumulate in the organs and cause fatal damage to the liver or brain.
FAQs
Deferoxamine is an antidote that is used in the treatment of acute iron poisoning. It contains Deferoxamine which removes excess iron from the body, which is then excreted mainly in the stools. This reduces the risk of organ damage.
Deferoxamine should not be used in people with any fungal infections, clouding the eye's lens (cataracts), ringing in the ears, liver disease, seizures, and heart problems. It should also be used with extreme caution in people with severe kidney impairment as this medicine may cause kidney damage.
Iron poisoning is treatable, and you can survive this condition with a quick diagnosis and accurate treatment.
Deferoxamine may cause side-effects such as pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck, and trunk), rash, decreased blood pressure, abdominal pain. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
Yes, Deferoxamine can cause abnormal liver or renal function test results. X-rays or scans results may also be affected by treatment with Deferoxamine. Ensure that the doctor or nurse knows that you are being treated with Deferoxamine if a laboratory test and X-ray or scan is suggested.
