Feraheme

Generic name: Ferumoxytol
Drug class: Iron products

Usage of Feraheme

Feraheme is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. In your body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin (HEEM o glo bin) and myoglobin (MY o glo bin). Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.

Feraheme is an iron replacement product that is used in adults used to treat iron deficiency anemia (IDA), which is low red blood cells caused by a lack of iron in the body.

Feraheme is given to adults with IDA and chronic kidney disease, or to adults with IDA when iron taken by mouth is not effective.

Feraheme side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Feraheme: hives, itching; wheezing, difficult breathing; a light-headed feeling (like you might pass out);swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Feraheme can cause severe or fatal allergic reactions, even if you have used this medicine before without any reaction. Watch for signs of allergic reaction for at least 30 minutes after your injection.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea;

a seizure;

kidney problems - swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or

heart problems - chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath.

Common Feraheme side effects may include:

headache, dizziness;

diarrhea, constipation;

nausea; or

swelling in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.

Before taking Feraheme

You should not use Feraheme if you are allergic to Ferumoxytol, or if:

you've had an allergic reaction to iron injected into a vein.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

iron overload syndrome;

any drug allergies; or

low blood pressure.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ferumoxytol will harm an unborn baby, but this medicine may cause severe reactions in the mother that could affect the baby's heartbeat.

Having iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight. The benefit of treating this condition with Feraheme may outweigh any risks to the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.

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How to use Feraheme

Usual Adult Dose for Iron Deficiency Anemia:

Initial dose: 510 mg, IV, over at least 15 minutes Second dose: 510 mg, IV, over at least 15 minutes, 3 to 8 days after the initial dose Comments: -The patient should be reclined or semi-reclined during administration. -Evaluate hematologic response at least one month after the second infusion. -May be readministered for persistent or recurrent iron deficiency anemia. Use: Iron deficiency anemia in adult patients with chronic kidney disease.

Warnings

You should not use Feraheme if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an injectable form of iron (including ferumoxytol), or if you have iron overload syndrome or any type of anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency.

Ferumoxytol can cause severe and sometimes fatal allergic reactions, even if you have used this medicine before without any reaction. Get emergency medical help if you have hives, itching, wheezing, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat, or feeling like you might pass out. Watch for signs of allergic reaction for at least 30 minutes after your injection.

Feraheme can cause unusual results with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests for up to 3 months after you receive this medication. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have received this injection within the past 3 months.

Feraheme will not affect other types of X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, or nuclear radiation imaging.

What other drugs will affect Feraheme

Feraheme can make it harder for your body to absorb iron medicines you take by mouth.

Other drugs may interact with ferumoxytol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Disclaimer

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