Ferinject 1000mg Injection 20ml is used for:

• Iron deficiency: Replenishes iron when laboratory tests confirm inadequate iron stores.

• Iron deficiency anaemia: Helps restore the iron required to produce haemoglobin and red blood cells.

• Iron deficiency requiring rapid replacement: May be selected when oral iron is ineffective, cannot be tolerated or cannot be used, or when iron needs to be replaced more quickly.

• Iron deficiency in selected patients with chronic disease: Intravenous iron may be prescribed when oral iron is unsuitable or inadequate. The underlying condition and individual iron requirement determine whether Ferinject is appropriate.

Ferinject should not be used simply because anaemia is present. The cause of anaemia and iron status should be assessed before treatment.

Ferinject contains Ferric Carboxymaltose, an iron complex designed to release iron for use by the body's iron-storage and iron-transport systems.

After intravenous administration, the iron is taken up and made available for haemoglobin production, allowing the bone marrow to produce red blood cells when iron deficiency is limiting this process. Some of the iron is also stored as ferritin and haemosiderin for later use.

By restoring iron availability, Ferinject can help improve iron deficiency and the symptoms associated with iron-deficiency anaemia, such as tiredness and weakness, when these symptoms are caused by inadequate iron.

Tell your doctor about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements you take.

Ferinject has fewer conventional medicine interactions than oral iron because it is administered intravenously and does not rely on absorption through the digestive tract. However:

• Oral iron supplements: Your doctor may advise when to restart or continue oral iron after intravenous iron treatment.

• Other intravenous iron preparations: Do not receive another iron infusion unless it has been specifically prescribed.

• Medicines affecting phosphate levels: Tell your doctor about medicines and conditions that may affect phosphate because ferric carboxymaltose can cause hypophosphataemia (low blood phosphate), particularly with repeated treatment.

• Medicines for other chronic conditions: Your doctor should know about all medicines you take when calculating your iron requirement and assessing your overall treatment.

Do not receive additional iron simply because you still feel tired. Your doctor may repeat blood tests to determine whether further iron is needed.

• Store Ferinject according to the storage instructions on the product packaging.

• Keep the vial in its original packaging until it is ready to be used.

• Do not freeze the injection.

• Keep it away from children.

• The vial is intended for single use. Any unused portion should be discarded according to healthcare facility procedures.

• The medicine should be inspected before administration. Do not use it if the container is damaged or the solution does not meet the appearance requirements stated on the product information.

Ferinject 1000mg Injection 20ml is administered only by the intravenous route. It may be given as an intravenous injection or intravenous infusion by a trained healthcare professional. It should not be given into a muscle or under the skin.

The 20 mL vial contains 1,000 mg of iron, but 1,000 mg is not the correct dose for every patient. The required amount is calculated from the patient's iron deficiency, haemoglobin, body weight and other clinical factors.

For adults and adolescents aged 14 years and older, a single administration should not exceed 1,000 mg of iron. Depending on the route, the dose must also remain within the recommended weight-based limit. If the total calculated iron requirement is greater than the maximum that can be given at one time, another dose may be administered after the appropriate interval.

Ferinject should be administered in a setting where trained staff and facilities for managing severe allergic reactions are available. Patients should be monitored during and for at least 30 minutes after administration.

Common side effects of Ferinject 1000mg Injection may include:

• Headache

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• High blood pressure

• Injection or infusion-site reactions

• Flushing

• Temporary changes in blood phosphate levels

• Fatigue

Most mild reactions are temporary, but tell your doctor if symptoms are severe or persistent.

Serious side effects

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop:

• Difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, severe wheezing or other symptoms of a serious allergic reaction

• Severe dizziness, fainting or a sudden drop in blood pressure

• Significant skin discolouration or persistent pain around the injection site, which may occur if the medicine leaks outside the vein

• Severe or persistent weakness, muscle pain or bone pain, particularly after repeated high-dose treatment, which may be associated with significant hypophosphataemia

Your doctor may monitor phosphate levels when repeated or high-dose ferric carboxymaltose treatment is required, particularly if you have risk factors for low phosphate.

• Ferinject should only be given by a trained healthcare professional.

• Do not assume that the entire 1,000 mg vial is your required dose.

• Have your haemoglobin and iron status assessed before treatment as advised by your doctor.

• Tell your doctor if you have previously reacted to intravenous iron.

• Remain under observation for the recommended period after each infusion or injection.

• Tell the healthcare professional immediately if you develop itching, rash, dizziness, breathing difficulty or swelling during treatment.

• Inform your doctor if you have a history of low phosphate, vitamin D deficiency, malabsorption or other risk factors for hypophosphataemia.

• Do not take additional iron supplements without checking with your doctor.

• If your iron deficiency keeps returning, ask your doctor to investigate the underlying cause rather than repeatedly taking iron on your own.

• Attend follow-up blood tests to determine whether iron stores and haemoglobin have improved.