Formulary
Desferrioxamine mesilate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Desferrioxamine mesilate clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Desferrioxamine mesilate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Desferrioxamine mesilate clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Aluminium overload in dialysis patients**
- **Adult** (By Intravenous Infusion): (consult product literature or local protocols).
**Chronic iron overload (low iron overload)**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Infusion): The dose should reflect the degree of iron overload.
**Chronic iron overload (established overload)**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Infusion): 20-50 mg/kg daily.
**Iron poisoning for desferrioxamine mesilate**
- **Neonate** (By continuous intravenous infusion): Initially up to 15 mg/kg/hour, max. 80 mg/kg in 24 hours, dose to be reduced after 4-6 hours, in severe cases, higher doses may be given on advice from the National Poisons Information Service.
- **Child** (By continuous intravenous infusion): Initially up to 15 mg/kg/hour, max. 80 mg/kg in 24 hours, dose to be reduced after 4-6 hours, in severe cases, higher doses may be given on advice from the National Poisons Information Service.
**Aluminium overload in dialysis patients for desferrioxamine mesilate**
- **Child** (By intravenous infusion): 5 mg/kg once weekly.
**Chronic iron overload (low iron overload) for desferrioxamine mesilate**
- **Child** (By subcutaneous infusion): Initially up to 30 mg/kg 3-7 times a week, to be given over 8-12 hours, the dose should reflect the degree of iron overload.
**Chronic iron overload (established overload) for desferrioxamine mesilate**
- **Child** (By subcutaneous infusion): 20-50 mg/kg daily.
Cautions
Aluminium-related encephalopathy (may exacerbate neurological dysfunction)
Side effects
Common or very common Arthralgia; bone disorder; fever; growth retardation; headache; muscle complaints; nausea; skin reactions Uncommon Abdominal pain; asthma; deafness neurosensory; tinnitus; vomiting Rare or very rare Angioedema; blood disorder; cataract; diarrhoea; dizziness; encephalopathy; eye disorders; hypersensitivity; hypotension (more common when given too rapidly by intravenous injection); increased risk of infection; nerve disorders; nervous system disorder; paraesthesia; respiratory disorders; shock; tachycardia; thrombocytopenia; vision disorders Frequency not known Acute kidney injury; hypocalcaemia; leucopenia; renal tubular disorder; seizure; urine discolouration
Interactions
**Other interactions (1):**
- Desferal should not be used in combination with prochlorperazine (a phenothiazine derivative) since prolonged unconsciousness may result.
Pregnancy
Teratogenic in animal studies. Manufacturer advises use only if potential benefit outweighs risk.
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises use only if potential benefit outweighs risk-no information available.
Renal impairment
Use with caution. M
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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