DESFERAL 500MG INJECTION

Introduction:

Desferal 500mg Injection contains the active constituent deferoxamine. It is used to remove excess iron or aluminium from the blood. Too much iron or aluminium can be present in the blood as a result of iron poisoning or as an adverse effect of blood transfusion or kidney dialysis. The administration of Desferal 500mg Injection makes the urine characteristic reddish color in patients. This medicine is not indicated in the treatment of hemochromatosis (iron overload- body absorbs too much of iron from food).

Visual and auditory disturbances are associated with Desferal 500mg Injection. Your doctor will perform visual and hearing acuity tests periodically if you are treated with this medicine for longer periods. This medicine may affect the growth of children especially under the age of three years. Administration of this medicine may develop fungal infections and cardiac problems.

Uses of Desferal 500mg Injection:

• Iron intoxication
• To remove excess iron or aluminium in blood transfusion or dialysis patients.

How Desferal 500mg Injection works:

It fixes to the iron and aluminium ions in the blood to make a complex that will be excreted from the body.

Interactions with other drugs:

Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking or have taken before the treatment.

More information:

Keep out of sight and reach of children. Do not store above 25°C. 

References:

1. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Haematinics and Erythropoietin, 7th edition, 2013, 606.
2. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Environmental toxicology: Carcinogenesis and heavy metals, 12th edition, 2011,1875.
3. Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [ Revised on June 2020] [ Accessed on 9th April], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3813.pdf
4. Novartis, US Food and Drug Administration, [ Revised on Nov 2007] [ Accessed on 9th April 2021], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/016267s044lbl.pdf

How to use Desferal 500mg Injection:

The medicine will be administered intravenously or subcutaneously by your health care professional. 

Safety advice:

Pregnancy: 

There are no established side effects for the use Desferal 500mg Injection in pregnant patients; inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant before taking this medicine. It will be given to you only if it is clearly needed. 

Breastfeeding:

Inform the physician if you are breastfeeding before taking this medicine

Kidney:

Desferal 500mg Injection is not recommended in patients with severe renal diseases. Inform your doctor if you have any kidney disorders.

Driving:

The medicine may affect your vision or hearing. Avoid driving during treatment with this medicine.

Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all medicines cause side effects, not everyone gets them.

Serious: 

• Tightness of chest with wheezing or coughing and difficulty in breathing
• Allergic reactions (facial and throat swelling, feeling fainted, rash)
• Decreased urine output
• Seizures
• Infections (fever accompanied with stomach pain and shortness breath)

Common: 

• Pain, swelling, redness, itching at the injection site
• Headache
• Reddish-brown color of urine
• Nausea
• Fever, feeling sick
• Slow growth in children under age three