Deferoxamine Injection

What is this medication?

DEFEROXAMINE (dee fer OX a meen) treats high iron levels in your body. It works by binding to iron so your kidneys can remove it through the urine.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Desferal

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Difficulty passing urine or very little urine
• Heart failure
• Infection
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• On dialysis
• An unusual or allergic reaction to deferoxamine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein or under the skin. It is usually given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting. It may also be given at home.

If you get this medication at home, you will be taught how to prepare and give it. Use exactly as directed. Take it as directed on the prescription label. Keep taking it unless your care team tells you to stop.

It is important that you put your used needles and syringes in a special sharps container. Do not put them in a trash can. If you do not have a sharps container, call your pharmacist or care team to get one.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you get this medication at the hospital or clinic: It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

If you give yourself this medication at home: It is important not to miss any doses. Talk to your care team about what to do if you miss a dose.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Iron supplements

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
• Gallium-67 - used in certain diagnostic tests
• Prochlorperazine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.

You may need blood work while taking this medication.

Your vision and hearing may be tested before and during use of this medication. Tell your care team right away if you have any change in your eyesight or hearing.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

This medication may slow your child's growth if it is taken for a long time at high doses. Your child's care team will monitor your child's growth.

While you are receiving this medication, do not take any vitamin C products unless your care team tells you to.

This medication may cause your urine to turn reddish.

Talk to your care team if you or your partner wish to become pregnant or think either of you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. Contraception is recommended while taking this medication and for 1 month after stopping it. Talk to your care team about effective forms of contraception.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Change in vision
• Hearing loss, ringing in ears
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
• Stomach pain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

You will be instructed on how to store this medication. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, ask your pharmacist or care team how to get rid of this medication safely.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.