Desferal (Deferoxamine) Drug Information: Overdosage and Contraindications

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May 27, 2012

Desferal

Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload) »

What is hereditary hemochromatosis?

Hereditary hemochromatosis is an inherited (genetic) disorder in which there is excessive accumulation of iron in the body (iron overload). It is a common genetic disorder among Caucasians in the United States, affecting approximately one in 240 to 300 Caucasians. Individuals affected with hereditary hemochromatosis may have no symptoms or signs (and have normal longevity), or they can have severe symptoms and signs of iron overload that include sexual dysfunction, heart failure, joint pains, liver cirrhosis , diabetes mellitus, fatigue, and darkening of skin.

The normal iron content of the body is three to four grams. The total amount of iron in the body is carefully controlled. The body loses one mg of iron daily from sweat and cells that are shed from the skin and the inner lining of the intestines. Women also lose one mg of iron daily on average from. In normal adults the intestines absorb one m...

Read the Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload) article »

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Desferal

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OVERDOSE

Acute Toxicity

Intravenous LD50s (mg/kg): mice, 287; rats, 329.

Signs and Symptoms

Inadvertent administration of an overdose or inadvertent intravenous bolus administration/rapid intravenous infusion may be associated with hypotension, tachycardia and gastrointestinal disturbances; acute but transient loss of vision, aphasia, agitation, headache, nausea, pallor, CNS depression including coma, bradycardia and acute renal failure have been reported.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome has been reported following treatment with excessively high intravenous doses of Desferal in patients with acute iron intoxication and in patients with thalassemia.

Treatment

There is no specific antidote. Desferal should be discontinued and appropriate symptomatic measures undertaken.

Desferal is readily dialyzable.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Known hypersensitivity to the active substance.

Desferal is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease or anuria, since the drug and the iron chelate are excreted primarily by the kidney. (See WARNINGS).

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/5/2012
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.