Desferal

aluminum, deferoxamine infusion test, Chronic aluminum overload + 3 more
Treatment
6 FDA approvals
2 Active Studies for Desferal

What is Desferal

DeferoxamineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryDesferrioxamine is a natural substance extracted from a type of bacteria called Streptomyces pilosus. It binds to iron in the body, making it useful as a chelating agent, which is a type of medicine used to treat certain conditions. Desferrioxamine is usually taken in the form of a mesylate salt.
Desferalis the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Desferal Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Desferal
Deferoxamine
1968
19

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Deferoxamine, also known as Desferal, is approved by the FDA for 6 uses which include Chronic aluminum overload and Kidney Failure, Chronic .
Chronic aluminum overload
Kidney Failure, Chronic
deferoxamine infusion test
aluminum
Iron Overload
Iron Overload

Effectiveness

How Desferal Affects PatientsDeferoxamine, also known as desferrioxamine or desferal, is a drug that helps the body get rid of extra iron or aluminum. It attaches to the extra iron or aluminum in the blood and makes them easier to pass out in urine. This helps reduce damage to organs, such as the liver, caused by the extra iron or aluminum.
How Desferal works in the bodyDeferoxamine helps remove toxic levels of iron and aluminum from the body. It has a strong affinity for ferric iron and aluminum, binding them to form stable complexes. 100 mg of deferoxamine can bind 8.5 mg of ferric iron and 4.1 mg of aluminum. These complexes are then eliminated from the body via the kidneys or, in the case of aluminum, through dialysis.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed measure of Desferal is conditional on the determined condition, including Iron Overload, Chronic aluminum overload and deferoxamine infusion test. The amount of dosage fluctuates, according to the technique of delivery featured in the table beneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
aluminum
, 500.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 95.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous
Chronic aluminum overload
, 500.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 95.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous
Iron Overload
, 500.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 95.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous
Iron Overload
, 500.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 95.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous
deferoxamine infusion test
, 500.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 95.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous
Kidney Failure, Chronic
, 500.0 mg, 2000.0 mg, 95.0 mg/mL, 200.0 mg/mL, 500.0 mg/mL
, Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Powder, for solution, Powder, for solution - Intramuscular; Intraperitoneal; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous; Subcutaneous, Intramuscular; Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intramuscular; Intravenous

Warnings

Desferal Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Anuria
Do Not Combine
Kidney Diseases
Do Not Combine
There are 2 known major drug interactions with Desferal.
Common Desferal Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Prochlorperazine
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Deferoxamine is combined with Prochlorperazine.
Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate
Major
Deferoxamine may decrease effectiveness of Technetium Tc-99m oxidronate as a diagnostic agent.
Desferal Toxicity & Overdose RiskIn mice, rats, and rabbits the toxic dose through injection is 340 mg/kg, 520 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg, respectively. The toxic dose through subcutaneous injection in mice and rats is 1600 mg/kg and over 1000 mg/kg, respectively. Through oral administration, the toxic dose in mice and rats is over 3000 mg/kg and over 1000 mg/kg, respectively. Long-term use of this drug can lead to kidney damage, hearing loss, and eye damage.

Desferal Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Desferal?

Four clinical trials are actively investigating the potential of Desferal to reduce Chronic aluminum accumulation, aluminum and Iron Overload.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Iron Overload
0 Actively Recruiting
Iron Overload
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
deferoxamine infusion test
0 Actively Recruiting
Chronic aluminum overload
0 Actively Recruiting
aluminum
0 Actively Recruiting
Kidney Failure, Chronic
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable

Desferal Reviews: What are patients saying about Desferal?

3Patient Review
10/18/2011
Desferal for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time
My blood iron level was really high when I got this treatment, but it's gone down since then.
3Patient Review
10/18/2011
Desferal for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time
This medication helped me get my high blood iron level under control.
1Patient Review
9/4/2012
Desferal for Aluminum Poisoning
This did not help me at all.
1Patient Review
9/4/2012
Desferal for Aluminum Poisoning
This was not effective for me at all.

Patient Q&A Section about desferal

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What is Desferal infusion?

"Desferal is a medication used to treat sudden iron poisoning, most effectively when given soon after the iron was consumed. It is used in conjunction with other treatments, such as causing vomiting with syrup of ipecac or stomach pumping."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of Desferal?

"gas, or upset stomach

injection site reactions can include: pain, swelling, burning, redness, irritation, or a hard lump), blurred vision,, dizziness,, ringing in your ears,, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),, itching or skin rash,, numbness or burning pain anywhere in the body,, diarrhea, gas, or upset stomach"

Answered by AI

How do you administer Desferal?

"A daily dose of 500-1000 mg of Desferal should be given intramuscularly. In addition, 2000 mg of Desferal should be given intravenously with each unit of blood transfused; however, Desferal should be given separately from the blood. The rate of intravenous infusion must not exceed 15 mg/kg/hr."

Answered by AI

What is Desferal used for?

"Desferal is an injection that helps remove too much iron or aluminum from your blood. The main active ingredient in Desferal, desferrioxamine mesilate, is a chelating agent. This means it attaches to iron and aluminum particles in the blood to form a complex. The complex is then excreted from the body."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Desferal