Hemin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 19, 2025.

Applies to hemin: intravenous powder for solution.

Precautions

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

This medicine may cause a vein inflammation where the needle was placed. Check with your doctor if you have bluish skin color, pain, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site, or swelling of the foot or leg.

Hemin injection may increase iron levels in the blood. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Check with your doctor if you have a decrease in the amount of your urine. This may be a symptom of a kidney problem.

This medicine is made from donated human blood. Some human blood products have transmitted certain viruses to people who have received them, although the risk is low. Human donors and donated blood are both tested for viruses to keep the transmission risk low. Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Common side effects of hemin

Some side effects of hemin 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:

Serious side effects of hemin

Along with its needed effects, hemin 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 hemin:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to hemin: intravenous powder for injection.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported adverse reactions included headache, pyrexia, infusion site reactions, and phlebitis.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Poor venous access
• Common (1% to 10%): Phlebitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Venous thrombosis^[Ref]

Phlebitis with or without leukocytosis and with or without mild pyrexia was observed after administration of this drug through small arm veins.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, cellulitis
• Frequency not reported: Dermatitis medicamentosa^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Tongue edema

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Leukocytosis
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, hemolysis^[Ref]

Coagulopathy included prolonged prothrombin time and prolonged partial thromboplastin time.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactoid reaction, hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity reactions included a report of an infusion-related anaphylactoid reaction presenting as circulatory collapse.^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site phlebitis, infusion site pain, infusion site swelling
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site thrombosis
• Frequency not reported: Infusion site erythema, infusion site bleeding, infusion site extravasation^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Postmarketing reports: Iron overload^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia, catheter-related complications
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased serum ferritin

Catheter-related complications included erythema, pain, bleeding, extravasation, and infusion site swelling.

Increased serum ferritin concentration has been reported after several years of treatment with repeated infusions, which may indicate an iron overload.

Renal

• Postmarketing reports: Reversible renal shutdown^[Ref]

Reversible renal shutdown has been observed after the administration of excessive doses (12.2 mg/kg).^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Hemin 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