Deferoxamine

Information about Deferoxamine

Deferoxamine is a parenterally administered iron chelating agent used to treat transfusion related chronic iron overload. 

Liver safety of Deferoxamine

Deferoxamine rarely causes serum aminotransferase elevations during therapy and has not been convincingly linked to instances of clinically apparent liver injury.   == Mechanism of action of Deferoxamine ==  Deferoxamine (de” fer ox’ a meen) is parenterally administered iron chelating agent that binds iron with a high affinity and zinc and copper to a lesser extent.  In clinical trials in patients with transfusion related iron overload, deferoxamine therapy lowered both circulating and tissue (cardiac, liver) iron levels and these reductions were maintained with long term subcutaneous infusions. 

FDA approval information for Deferoxamine

Deferoxamine was approved for use in the United States in 1968 and current indications are for patients with transfusion related chronic iron overload as well as for acute iron overdose or intoxication. 

Dosage and administration for Deferoxamine

Deferoxamine is available in vials of 500 and 2000 mg for intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous administration generically and under the brand name Desferal.  The subcutaneous routine is used most often for chronic iron overload and the typical dose is 1000 to 2000 mg per day (20 to 40 mg/kg/day) for 5 to 7 days a week given by continuous infusion over 8 to 24 hours. 

Side effects of Deferoxamine

Side effects include injection site pain and infection, hypersensitivity reactions, arthralgias, myalgias, fever, headache, nausea and abdominal pain.  Rare, but potentially severe adverse events of deferoxamine therapy include hearing and visual loss, acute renal failure and severe hypersensitivity reactions.

Arsenic Chelators

• Dimercaprol

Copper Chelators (for Wilson Disease)

• Dimercaprol
• Penicillamine
• Trientine
• Zinc

Iron Chelators

• Deferasirox
• Deferiprone
• Deferoxamine

Lead Chelators

• Dimercaprol
• EDTA
• Succimer

Mercury Chelators

• Dimercaprol

• Dailymed label info on Deferoxamine
• FDA Deferoxamine

Deferoxamine Resources
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