Injectafer Side Effects

Generic name: ferric carboxymaltose

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 9, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Injectafer Side Effects associated with ferric carboxymaltose. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Injectafer.

Applies to ferric carboxymaltose: intravenous solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you closely while you are receiving this medicine. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, and throat, trouble breathing, or chest pain after you receive the medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you have bone, joint, or muscle pain, fractures, loss of appetite, trouble breathing, seizures, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of hypophosphatemia (low phosphate in the blood).

This medicine may cause high blood pressure. Tell your doctor or nurse right away if you have blurred vision, dizziness, headache, nervousness, pounding in the ears, or slow or fast heartbeat after receiving the injection.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other iron supplements. Also, tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to injectable iron products.

Common side effects of Injectafer

Some side effects of ferric carboxymaltose 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 Injectafer

Along with its needed effects, ferric carboxymaltose (the active ingredient contained in Injectafer) 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 ferric carboxymaltose:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to ferric carboxymaltose: intravenous solution.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Flushing/hot flush, hypertension, hypotension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chest pain, peripheral edema, tachycardia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Phlebitis
• Postmarketing reports: Chest discomfort, pallor^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, rash, pruritus, urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, dermatitis^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Flatulence^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Alanine aminotransferase increase
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Aspartate aminotransferase increase, gamma glutamyl transferase increase^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash, urticaria, wheezing, and hypertension associated with hypersensitivity reactions
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Serious anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reactions^[Ref]

Injection site reactions include infusion site burning, -pain, -bruising, -discoloration, -extravasation, -irritation, and -paresthesia.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Blood phosphorus decrease, hypophosphatemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood alkaline phosphatase increase, blood lactate dehydrogenase increase^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, back pain, hypophosphatemic osteomalacia, muscle spasms, myalgia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, dysgeusia, headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paraesthesia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Syncope, presyncope
• Postmarketing reports: Loss of consciousness^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, fatigue, pain, pyrexia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Malaise, rigors
• Frequency not reported: Overestimate of serum iron and transferrin bound iron laboratory assays
• Postmarketing reports: Face edema, vertigo^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sneezing
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bronchospasm
• Postmarketing reports: Dyspnea^[Ref]

Psychiatric

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

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Injectafer infusion: How long does it take and how often is it given?
• How long does it take for Injectafer to work, when will I feel better?

Further information

Injectafer 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