Desfonak^®

Generic Name: Deferoxamine Mesylate

Dosage Form: Lyophilized powder containing 500 mg of deferoxamine mesylate for injectable solution preparation

Drug Category: Chelating agent

Indications: This drug is used in the treatment of acute iron poisoning or chronic iron overload in the blood.

 

Desfonak^®

Desfonak^® (deferoxamine mesylate) is a chelating agent that combines with trivalent ions (such as iron), leading to their excretion through urine; therefore, Desfonak^® is used in the treatment of iron or aluminum poisoning.

 

Indications for Desfonak^®

·       Treatment of acute iron poisoning

·       Treatment of chronic high blood iron levels due to repeated blood transfusions following diseases such as thalassemia major or sickle cell anemia

·       Diagnosis and treatment of aluminum poisoning in the context of chronic kidney failure

 

Dosage Form of Desfonak^®

Lyophilized powder containing 500 mg of deferoxamine mesylate for injectable solution preparation

 

Preparation of Desfonak^®

For subcutaneous or intravenous injection of Desfonak®, add 5 mL of injectable water to the contents of the vial to obtain a solution with a concentration of 95 mg/mL.

For intramuscular injection, add 2 mL of injectable water to the contents of the vial to obtain a solution with a concentration of 213 mg/mL.

Intramuscular injection of the drug is mainly used in patients with acute iron poisoning who do not have severe symptoms; however, intravenous injection is generally preferred.

 

Desfonak^® can be diluted with the following solutions for intravenous injection:

·       0.9% sodium chloride

·       5% dextrose

·       Lactated Ringer's

The final solution should be clear and colorless to pale yellow. Do not use the drug if any particles or cloudiness are observed.

 

Administration of Desfonak^®

This drug can be administered by intramuscular, intravenous, and slow subcutaneous injections.

To prevent side effects during intravenous injection, it is better to keep the infusion rate at 15 mg/kg/hr or less.

 

Monitoring Requirements During the Use of Desfonak^®

·       Serum iron, ferritin levels, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)

·       Complete blood cell count

·       Kidney and liver function

·       Visual and auditory status with long-term use

·       Growth and body weight in children every three months

·       Serum aluminum level in dialysis patients

 

Contraindications for Desfonak^®

·       Allergy to deferoxamine or any of the formulation components

·       Severe kidney disease

·       Anuria

Warnings and Precautions for Desfonak^® Use

·       Treatment with deferoxamine may increase the risk of various infections. If signs of infection such as fever, chills, severe sore throat, earache, cough, excessive or discolored phlegm, pain during urination, or mouth sores occur, inform your physician.

·       This medication may change urine color to pink, red, or orange.

·       Deferoxamine may exacerbate symptoms of myasthenia gravis. Inform your physician if you have this condition.

·       If you have heart disease, avoid self-prescribed vitamin C with deferoxamine.

·       Notify your physician immediately if there are any changes in vision or hearing.

·       Inform your physician if symptoms of respiratory or lung problems such as shortness of breath, cough, or fever occur.

·       Monitor a child's growth status if deferoxamine is used in children.

 

Desfonak^® Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant, consult your physician before using deferoxamine.

 

Side Effects of Desfonak^®

Every drug, alongside its beneficial therapeutic effects, may cause some unwanted side effects, although these effects do not appear in all individuals. Possible side effects of this drug include:

·       Change in urine color

·       Headache, dizziness, and tingling sensation

·       Hypotension and palpitations

·       Injection site reactions (including redness, itching, burning, etc.), red skin spots, and hives

·       Muscle spasms or pain

·       Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting

·       Fever

·       Elevated liver enzymes

Drug Interactions of Desfonak^®

Consult your physician or pharmacist about using deferoxamine with other drugs or supplements.

 

Packaging of Desfonak^®

Each package contains 10 vials of Desfonak^®.

 

Storage Conditions for Desfonak^®

·       Keep the drug out of sight and reach of children.

·       Store the drug at 25 degrees Celsius, away from light and moisture.

·       Do not use the drug beyond the expiration date mentioned on the package. Avoid using or storing expired drugs.

·       Keep the drug in its original packaging until use.

 

References

1)      Deferoxamine: Drug information, UpToDate 2025

2)    http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3813/smpc