Desferal Side Effects

Generic name: deferoxamine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Desferal.

Applies to deferoxamine: injection powder for solution Side Effects associated with deferoxamine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Desferal.

Applies to deferoxamine: injection powder for solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to use it. Blood and urine tests must be done regularly to check for unwanted effects .

Deferoxamine may cause some people to have hearing and vision problems within a few weeks after they start using it. This usually occurs if you are receiving high doses of this medicine and using it for a long period of time. If you or your child notice any problems with your hearing or vision, such as blurred vision, difficulty with night vision, or difficulty with seeing colors, check with your doctor as soon as possible.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have the following symptoms while using this medicine: agitation, confusion, decreased urine output, lethargy, muscle twitching, rapid weight gain, seizures, or swelling of the face, ankles, or hands. These may be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

This medicine may cause slow growth. If your child is using this medicine, the doctor will need to keep track of your child's height and weight every 3 months to make sure that your child is growing properly.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child develop fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, trouble with breathing, or wheezing. These could be symptoms of a serious lung condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you or your child are using this medicine. The results of some tests (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging or MRI) may be affected by this medicine.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, lightheaded, or trouble in hearing or seeing clearly. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert or able to see well.

This medicine may cause your urine to turn red in color. This is normal and is nothing to worry about.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Desferal

Along with its needed effects, deferoxamine (the active ingredient contained in Desferal) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking deferoxamine:

Other side effects of Desferal

Some side effects of deferoxamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to deferoxamine: injectable powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were injection site reactions (pain, swelling, infiltration, erythema, pruritus, eschar/crust), and arthralgia/myalgia.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Pain, swelling, infiltration, erythema, pruritus, eschar/crust at the injection site
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vesicles, local edema, local burning^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Arthralgia/myalgia
• Common (1% to 10%): Growth retardation, bone disorder (e.g. metaphyseal dysplasia)
• Frequency not reported: Muscle spasms, leg cramps, transient bone pain, hyperparathyroid bone disease^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vomiting, abdominal pain
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Diarrhea^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Urticaria
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Rash generalized, dermatitis medicamentosa^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Neurological disturbances, dizziness, precipitation/exacerbation of aluminum-related dialysis encephalopathy (e.g. grand mal seizures, hallucinations, paranoid delusions, dialysis dementia), neuropathy peripheral, paresthesia
• Frequency not reported: Convulsion^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Deafness neurosensory, tinnitus
• Frequency not reported: Transient depression of serum calcium, reversible aphasia with visual loss and bradycardia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthma
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute respiratory distress, lung infiltration^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Blood disorders (e.g. thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, eosinophilia)
• Frequency not reported: Inhibition of DNA synthesis in T and B lymphocytes^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypotension, tachycardia, shock
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac arrhythmias^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Reddish-brown discoloration of the urine, dysuria^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Mucormycosis
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Gastroenteritis Yersinia, unusual infections (e.g. Pneumocystis carinii, Yersinia, or Rhizopus)^[Ref]

Ocular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Loss of vision, scotoma, retinal degeneration, optic neuritis, cataracts, decreased visual acuity, blurred vision, night blindness, visual field defects, chromatopsia, corneal opacities^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reaction, angioneurotic edema, allergic skin reactions^[Ref]

Renal

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Renal impairment (including a rise in serum creatinine)
• Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure, renal tubular disorder, blood creatinine increased, aggravation of pyelonephritis^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Impaired hepatic function, increased transaminases^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hypocalcemia^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Aggravation of hyperparathyroidism^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Desferal side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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