Desferal (Deferoxamine) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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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...

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Desferal

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Desferal Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using deferoxamine (Desferal)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to deferoxamine, if you have kidney disease, or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using deferoxamine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

liver disease;
vision or hearing problems;
asthma or other breathing disorder;
heart disease;
low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia); or
a parathyroid disorder.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use deferoxamine or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether deferoxamine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Long-term use of deferoxamine can slow a child's growth. Tell your doctor if the child using this medication is not growing or gaining weight properly.

How should I take deferoxamine (Desferal)?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label.

Deferoxamine is sometimes given as an injection through a needle placed into a vein. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. The medicine must be given slowly through an IV infusion, and may be given for several hours in a row.

Deferoxamine is also sometimes injected into a muscle using an infusion pump over several hours. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will set up the infusion pump. You may be given instructions on how to use the pump at home. Do not use this medicine at home if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of needles, syringes, and other equipment used in giving the medicine.

Deferoxamine must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before injecting it. The mixed solution should be clear with a colorless or slightly yellow appearance.

Do not use the medication if it has changed colors or has any particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

It is best to use deferoxamine within 3 hours after mixing it, but you must use it within 24 hours. Throw away the medicine if it has been longer than 24 hours since it was mixed with the liquid.

Each dose of this medication is for a single use only. Throw away any mixed medicine that is leftover after giving the injection.

Use each needle and syringe only one time. Throw away used needles and syringes in a puncture-proof container. If your medicine does not come with such a container, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets. Your pharmacist can tell you how to properly dispose of the container.

Store unmixed deferoxamine at room temperature. You may store mixed medicine at room temperature for up to 24 hours, but do not refrigerate it.

Your doctor may tell you to take vitamin C supplements while you are using deferoxamine. Take only the amount of vitamin C your doctor has prescribed. Using too much vitamin C while you are using deferoxamine can cause heart problems.

If a child is using deferoxamine, a doctor should check the child's growth every 3 months. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your child's doctor.

If you need to have any type of x-ray or CT scan using a dye that is injected into a vein, you may need to temporarily stop using deferoxamine. Be sure the doctor knows ahead of time that you are using this medication.

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