Deferoxamine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Desferal, desferrioxamine

Proper Use of This Medicine

Deferoxamine may sometimes be given at home to patients who do not need to be in the hospital. If you are receiving this medicine at home, make sure you clearly understand and carefully follow your doctor's instructions .

Dosing - The dose of deferoxamine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of deferoxamine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For injection dosage form:
  • For acute iron toxicity:
    • Adults and children over 3 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 90 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) (41 mg per pound) of body weight, followed by 45 mg per kg (20 mg per pound) of body weight, injected into a muscle every four to twelve hours. If it is injected into a vein, the usual dose is 15 mg per kg (7 mg per pound) of body weight per hour every eight hours.
    • Children up to 3 years of age - The usual dose is 15 mg per kg (7 mg per pound) of body weight per hour, injected into a vein.
  • For chronic iron toxicity:
    • Adults and children over 3 years of age - The usual dose is 500 mg to 1 gram a day, injected into a muscle. Or, the medicine may be injected under the skin by an infusion pump. The usual dose is 1 to 2 grams (20 to 40 mg per kg [9 to 18 mg per pound] of body weight) a day, injected under the skin, over a period of eight to twenty-four hours. If you are receiving blood transfusions, the usual dose is 500 mg to 1 gram a day, injected into a muscle. An extra 2 grams of the medicine is injected into a vein with each unit of blood at a rate of 15 mg per kg of body weight per hour.
    • Children up to 3 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg per kg (5 mg per pound) of body weight a day, injected under the skin.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Store the mixed medicine at room temperature for no longer than recommended by your doctor or the manufacturer. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine that is no longer needed. Be sure any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.