Dexferrum (Injection)

Iron dextran is a product used to replace iron in the body. It helps treat iron deficiency, which can cause anemia (not having enough iron in the blood) or blood loss in patients with certain conditions, like hemophilia or gastrointestinal bleeding.

Iron is a mineral that the body needs to make red blood cells. When there isn't enough iron, the body can't produce the normal amount of red blood cells necessary for good health. This condition is known as iron deficiency (iron shortage) or iron deficiency anemia.

This medicine should only be given by your doctor or under their direct supervision.

Your doctor will closely monitor your progress while you or your child are receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor determine if the medicine is effective and if you should continue using it. Blood tests may be necessary to check for unwanted effects (e.g., too much iron in the blood).

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention. The most serious signs of this reaction are very fast or irregular breathing, gasping for breath, or fainting. Other signs may include changes in the color of the skin on the face, very fast but irregular heartbeat or pulse, hive-like swellings on the skin, and puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes. If these side effects occur, get emergency help right away.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms after receiving this medicine: chills, backache, dizziness, headache, moderate to high fever, joint or muscle pain, nausea, or vomiting.

Inform any doctor or dentist treating you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

Do not take other medicines unless you have discussed them with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the benefits. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

The use of iron dextran is not recommended in children younger than 4 months of age.

Geriatric

There is no information available about how age affects the effects of iron dextran in elderly patients. However, older adults are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart issues, which may require caution when receiving iron dextran.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication while breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may need to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. It is important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you are receiving this medicine. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Baloxavir Marboxil
• Bictegravir
• Dimercaprol
• Eltrombopag
• Erdafitinib
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Raltegravir

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects. However, using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Delafloxacin
• Minocycline
• Zinc

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around mealtime or with specific types of food as interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may raise the risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some situations. If used together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use this medicine, or provide special instructions regarding the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Phytic Acid Containing Food

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Allergies, history of or
• Asthma, history of or
• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• Kidney infection or
• Liver disease or
• Rheumatoid arthritis—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may happen, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Backache
• blood in the urine
• bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• cough
• difficulty with moving
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fainting
• fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fast, weak pulse
• feeling of warmth
• fever
• headache
• hives or welts, itching, or rash
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• muscle pain or stiffness
• nausea
• nervousness
• no blood pressure or pulse
• pain in the joints
• pounding in the ears
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• redness of the skin
• seizures
• stopping of heart
• sweating
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• tightness in the chest
• unconsciousness
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• change in taste
• diarrhea
• soreness or pain at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Dexferrum
• Infed

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Parenteral Mineral-Trace Mineral

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you or your child this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein or as a shot into a muscle (usually in the buttock).

You may be given a small test dose of this medicine to make sure you or your child are not allergic to it. The rest of your dose will be given at least one hour after the test dose.

Do not use iron supplements while you or your child are being given iron dextran shots unless your doctor tells you to.