Deferoxamine

(de fer OKS a meen)

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to deferoxamine or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has very bad kidney disease.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to get rid of iron when too much is in the body.
• It is used to get rid of aluminum from the body in long-term kidney disease.

How does this drug work?

• Deferoxamine binds to iron and gets rid of it from the body.
• It binds to aluminum and gets rid of it from the body

How is this drug given?

• It is given as a shot into a muscle, vein, or into the fatty part of the skin.
• It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
• It is given as an infusion under the skin over a period of time.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this drug.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Many times this drug is given on an as needed basis.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• If your child has any eye problems, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has hearing loss, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has kidney disease, talk with the doctor.
• Have your child's blood work checked often. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Have your child get an eye exam before starting care and then one every year.
• Have your child's hearing tested before starting this drug and then every year.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Talk with your child's doctor before giving multivitamins, natural products, and diet aids to your child. These may have vitamin C in them.
• This drug may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, sports) or using items that call for your child to have focus or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's actions will be closely watched until you see how this drug affects him/her. School work may be hard for your child to focus on and get done.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for him/her to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug works.
• Change in color of urine to red.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Leg cramps.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Irritation where the shot is given.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows signs of very bad dizziness or passes out.
• If your child has trouble breathing.
• If your child has trouble passing urine.
• If your child has a sudden change in eyesight.
• If your child has a sudden hearing loss.
• If your child has numbness or tingling in his/her hands or feet.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very loose stools (diarrhea).
• If your child has a seizure.
• If your child has very bad skin irritation.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Most of the time, this drug will be given in a doctor's office. If stored at home, follow how to store as you were told by your doctor.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.