Desferal

What is it?

An anti-poisoining agent, desferrioxamine mesylate as 500mg powder in a vial for reconstitution and injection. It acts as a chelating agent with the iron, i. e. it locks up the iron chemically, enabling it to be removed from the system. Usedfor: iron poisoning, haemochromatoses (excess deposits of iron in the body due to faulty iron metabolism), excess aluminium in dialysis patients. For diagnosis of iron storage disease, aluminium overload and some forms of anaemia.

Dosage

Adults and children, according to manufacturer's specifications and under supervision of physician.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breasfeeding, kidney dysfunction. Patients with aluminium-related encephalopathy may have seizures (treat first with Clonazepam). Children should have weight and height checks every 3 months and eye and hearing tests are needed for all patients receiving long term treatment. Heart patients receiving vitamin C require monitoring. If infections occur, treatment should be stopped until condition improves.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Gallium scintigraphy, erythropoietin, prochlorperazine, vitamin C.

Known Side Effects

Shock if given too rapidly intravenously, reactions at injection site, cardiovascular, hearing, visual and neurological disturbances, acute respiratory distress, changes in lens and retina, angioedema, rashes, kidney dysfunction, blood changes, diarrhoea, slowed growth rate in children. Rarely, anaphylactic type reactions.