desferrioxamine mesilate at a glance
Medicine class
Iron- and aluminium-chelating agent
Main role
Removes excess iron; it also has selected uses in aluminium overload and poisoning.
Administration
Given by injection or infusion rather than by mouth; long-term iron chelation commonly uses a pump under the skin.
Important monitoring
Iron burden, kidney function, hearing and vision may require monitoring; children also need growth assessment.
What is desferrioxamine mesilate used for?
Licensed uses include:
Chronic iron overload, including transfusion-related iron accumulation.
Acute iron poisoning.
Diagnosis of iron storage disease and certain anaemias.
Treatment or diagnosis of aluminium overload in selected people receiving maintenance dialysis for end-stage kidney failure.
How does desferrioxamine mesilate work?
Desferrioxamine surrounds iron and aluminium ions, forming water-soluble complexes. These are removed mainly through urine, with some iron also leaving through faeces.
How to take desferrioxamine mesilate
It is given by a trained professional or someone taught to use the prescribed infusion equipment. The vial powder is reconstituted with water for injections; use only clear, pale-yellow solution.
Follow the hospital team's instructions for preparing and operating an infusion pump.
Intravenous administration must be slow; never speed up an infusion.
Rotate subcutaneous sites as instructed to reduce irritation.
Each vial and prepared solution is for single use; discard unused solution as instructed.
desferrioxamine mesilate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Injection-site pain, swelling, redness, itching, rash or scabbing
- Muscle or joint aches
- Headache
- Nausea
- Fever
- Itchy rash
- Reddish-brown urine from increased iron excretion
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergy, bronchospasm or collapse
- Markedly reduced urine or other evidence of kidney injury
- New hearing loss, tinnitus or visual disturbance
- Seizures, particularly in people receiving dialysis
- Serious infection, including Yersinia infection or mucormycosis
- Severe breathing difficulty or acute respiratory distress
desferrioxamine mesilate in pregnancy
Iron chelation is generally avoided in early pregnancy because fetal safety evidence is limited. In thalassaemia, a specialist multidisciplinary team may consider desferrioxamine later when the risks from iron overload justify treatment. Pregnancy or plans for pregnancy should prompt a treatment review.
desferrioxamine mesilate while breastfeeding
Desferrioxamine may be used during breastfeeding under specialist supervision. Evidence is limited, but poor absorption by mouth makes clinically important absorption by the infant unlikely. The infant's circumstances and monitoring needs should be reviewed.
desferrioxamine mesilate interactions
Tell the specialist team about prescribed, purchased and complementary products. Important interactions include:
Prochlorperazine and related phenothiazines
Combined use can cause prolonged unconsciousness or metabolic encephalopathy and should be avoided.
Vitamin C supplements
Vitamin C can alter iron excretion, while larger supplemental amounts may impair cardiac function in severe iron overload. Use only under specialist direction.
Erythropoietin
Changes in aluminium availability may require reassessment of the erythropoietin prescription.
Common questions about desferrioxamine mesilate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is desferrioxamine mesilate an iron chelator?
Yes. It binds excess iron into a soluble complex that the body can excrete.
Can it remove aluminium?
Yes. It has licensed specialist uses for proven or suspected aluminium overload in selected dialysis patients.
Can it be taken by mouth?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.