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Desferrioxamine

Desferrioxamine

It is a iron chelating agent, available for intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous administration.

Indications

Acute iron intoxication and chronic iron overload due to transfusion-dependent anaemia.


Dosage

Acute iron intoxication : I.M. injection for patients not in shock : Initially 1g followed by 500mg every 4 hours for 2 doses. Subsequent doses of 500mg are given 4-12 hourly depending on response. Maximum 6g in 24 hours. Patients with cardiovascular collapse : I.V. infusion 50mg/kg/hour upto a maximum of 80mg/kg in 24 hours. Chronic iron overload : I.M. 0.5-1g daily. In addition 2g i.v. infusion given separately with each unit of blood transfused.


Contra-Indications

Hypersensitivity, severe renal disease or anuria except those on dialysis.


Special Precautions

When adminstered over prolonged periods, visual acuity tests, slit lamp examinations, funduscopy and audiometry are recommended periodically. Impaired renal function, children below 3 years. Increased susceptibility to infection, particularly for Yersinia species. Concomitant use of ascorbic acid. Severe fungal infections have been reported.


Side Effects

On I.V. injection : Flushing, urticaria, hypotension, shock, tachypnoea, hypoxaemia, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, convulsions. On s.c. or i.m. : Local pain, prutitus, erythemia, swelling, GIT disturbances, dysuria, fever, allergic skin rashes. Leg carmps on long term therapy, Reversible ocular and auditory disturbances. Reduction of growth in very young children, thrombocytopenia.


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DESFERAL NOVARTIS INDIA LTD
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