Ferumoxytol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 10, 2024.

Applies to ferumoxytol: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious types of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. These symptoms are more likely to occur when you begin receiving this medicine or when the dose is increased.

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

Serious side effects of ferumoxytol

Along with its needed effects, ferumoxytol 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 ferumoxytol:

Other side effects of ferumoxytol

Some side effects of ferumoxytol 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 ferumoxytol: intravenous solution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were injection site reactions, gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, dizziness, and hypotension.^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reactions (infusion/injection site bruising, pain, reaction, swelling, warmth, hemorrhage, irritation, rash)^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain (abdominal distension, abdominal pain upper, abdominal discomfort)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, constipation, feces discolored
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dry mouth, dyspepsia, glossodynia
• Frequency not reported: Lip swelling, swollen tongue^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension (hypotension, blood pressure decreased)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing (flushing, hot flush), hypertension (hypertension, accelerated hypertension)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Cardiac arrest, cardio-respiratory arrest, myocardial events, congestive heart failure
• Frequency not reported: Tachycardia/arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, vasodilation, pulse absent
• Postmarketing reports: Cyanosis^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysgeusia, somnolence, burning sensation
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Paresthesia
• Frequency not reported: Syncope, unresponsiveness, loss of consciousness^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus (pruritus generalized), rash (rash, rash generalized, rash pruritic, urticaria)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ecchymosis, sweating (hyperhidrosis, night sweats), skin hyperpigmentation, skin reaction
• Frequency not reported: Angioedema^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Cough, dyspnea
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Epistaxis
• Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, hyperventilation, hypoxia, laryngeal edema, pharyngeal edema, respiratory arrest, respiratory failure, throat irritation, throat tightness, wheezing^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, muscle spasms
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle/joint pain or stiffness (arthralgia, myalgia, muscular weakness, musculoskeletal stiffness)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Edema
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased appetite, increased appetite
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dehydration, gout, hyperkalemia, blood glucose decreased
• Frequency not reported: Oxygen saturation decreased^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity (including anaphylaxis)
• Postmarketing reports: Life-threatening anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Eosinophilia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatic function abnormal^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Peripheral edema, chest pain (chest discomfort, chest pain), fever (feeling hot, pyrexia)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue (asthenia, fatigue), chills, serum ferritin increased, contusion^[Ref]

Ocular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Lacrimation increased, vision blurred^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Chronic renal failure^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Ferumoxytol 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.

Medical Disclaimer