Deferoxamine Mesylate, Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: chelating agent; antidote for iron poisoning

Generic and brand names: deferoxamine mesylate, injection; Desferal

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is given by injection (shot) or infusion (slow drip through a needle into a large vein) to help treat excess iron in the body or iron poisoning. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

This medicine is given by a healthcare provider. Tell the provider if you notice pain, swelling, or irritation while you are receiving the medicine.

What should I watch out for?

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are receiving this medicine.

You will need to have regular hearing tests and eye exams if you receive this medicine regularly. Keep all appointments.

This medicine may slow growth in children. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine may turn your urine a pink or reddish color. This is not harmful.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fast heartbeat, chest pain, rash, severe stomach pain, fever, headache, trouble hearing or seeing, unusual bruising or bleeding, coughing blood, vomiting blood, shortness of breath, severe leg cramps, trouble urinating.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, muscle aches and pains, tiredness, headache, stuffy nose, trouble seeing at night.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.