DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Deferoxamine (de-fer-OX-a-meen)
Brand Name: Desferal

Desferal is used for:

Treating acute iron poisoning and chronic iron overload caused by anemias that require frequent blood transfusions.

Desferal is an iron-chelating agent. It works by binding to excess iron in the blood so that it can be removed by the kidneys and bowels.

Do NOT use Desferal if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Desferal
• you have severe kidney problems or you are unable to urinate

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Desferal :

Some medical conditions may interact with Desferal . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have brain or kidney disease or heart failure
• if you take vitamin C

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Desferal . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Prochlorperazine because loss of consciousness may occur
• Gallium-67 because its effectiveness may be decreased by Desferal

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Desferal may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Desferal :

Use Desferal as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Desferal is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Desferal at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• Do not use Desferal if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• If you miss a dose of Desferal , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Desferal .

Important safety information:

• Desferal may cause dizziness or changes in vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not take large doses of vitamin C without first checking with your doctor.
• Desferal may turn your urine a reddish color. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
• Desferal may interfere with certain lab imaging tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Desferal . You may need to stop Desferal before you have certain types of imaging tests. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• Lab tests, including eye exams and hearing tests, may be performed while you use Desferal . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Desferal with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially vision problems.
• The weight and growth of CHILDREN receiving Desferal should be monitored every 3 months.
• Use Desferal with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 3 years of age; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Desferal while you are pregnant. It is not known if Desferal is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Desferal .

Possible side effects of Desferal :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; leg cramps; nausea; stomach upset; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in the amount of urine produced; decreased hearing; fainting; fast heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; muscle or joint pain; numbness or tingling of the face, hands, feet, or skin; pain, burning, swelling, blistering, or redness at the injection site; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe dizziness; unusual bruising or bleeding; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include change in the amount of urine produced; coma; paleness; rapid heartbeat.

Proper storage of Desferal :

Desferal is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Desferal at home, store Desferal as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Desferal out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Desferal , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Desferal is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Desferal . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.