Generic Name: ferric carboxymaltose (FER ik kar BOX ee MAWL tose)
Brand Name: Injectafer
Drug class: Iron products
Injectafer (ferric carboxymaltose) is an injectable iron replacement product. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. Iron helps your body produce red blood cells that carry oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs.
Injectafer is used in adults to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body).
Injectafer is usually given after oral (taken by mouth) iron replacement medicines have been tried without success.
Warnings
You should not use Injectafer if you have iron overload disorder, or anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Injectafer if you are allergic to ferric carboxymaltose, or if you have:
- iron overload disorder (hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis); or
- anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency.
To make sure Injectafer is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- liver disease; or
- high blood pressure.
It is not known whether Injectafer will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Ferric carboxymaltose can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How is Injectafer given?
Injectafer is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Injectafer is usually given in two doses, 7 days apart, or given as a single dose. Your doctor will determine whether you need a repeat course.
Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when Injectafer is injected.
You will be watched closely for at least 30 minutes after receiving Injectafer, to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to the medication.
Tell your doctor if you have any changes in weight. Injectafer doses are based on weight, and any changes may affect the dose.
To be sure this medicine is helping your condition, you may need frequent blood tests. You may not notice any change in your symptoms, but your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with Injectafer.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Patients weighing 50 kg or more: Two doses of 750 mg via slow IV push or infusion separated by at least 7 days
Alternatively, for patients weighing 50 kg or more: 15 mg/kg to a maximum of 1000 mg may be administered as a single-dose treatment course
Patients weighing less than 50 kg: Two doses of 15 mg/kg via slow IV push or infusion separated by at least 7 days
Maximum dose: Total cumulative dose should not exceed 1500 mg of iron per course
Comments:
-The dosage is expressed in mg of elemental iron.
-Treatment may be repeated if iron deficiency anemia recurs
Use: Treatment of iron deficiency anemia in adults with an intolerance or unsatisfactory response to oral iron and in adults with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease
What happens if I miss a dose?
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your Injectafer injection.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include weakness, joint problems, and problems with balance or walking.
What should I avoid after receiving Injectafer?
Iron is contained in many vitamin or mineral supplements. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much iron. Avoid taking any vitamin or mineral supplement your doctor has not recommended.
Injectafer side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Injectafer: hives; feeling light-headed; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- increased blood pressure - severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears, dizziness, nausea;
- low levels of phosphorus in your blood - confusion, bone pain, muscle weakness; or
- high levels of iron stored in your body - metallic taste in the mouth, bloody or tarry stools, vomiting blood, severe shortness of breath, chest pain, pale skin, blue lips or fingernails, loss of consciousness, or seizure (convulsions).
Common Injectafer side effects may include:
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- high blood pressure;
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling); or
- low phosphorus levels.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Injectafer?
Other drugs may interact with ferric carboxymaltose, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.