WHAT IS FERINJECT USED FOR?

FERINJECT is used for the treatment of patients with iron deficiency, when oral iron preparations are ineffective or cannot be used. The aim of the therapy is to replenish body iron stores and to remedy anaemia, a reduced level of haemoglobin due to iron deficiency.

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE A FERINJECT INFUSION?

When you must not be given it;

• If you are hypersensitive (allergic) to ferric carboxymaltose or any of the other ingredients of FERINJECT

• If you have anaemia not caused by iron deficiency

• If you have iron overload (too much iron in your body) or disturbances in utilisation of iron

• If you are under the age of 14 years. 

 

You must tell your doctor if;

• You have an infection, asthma, eczemas, allergies or liver disorders 

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding

 

Taking other medicines; 

If FERINJECT is given together with oral iron preparations, then these oral preparations will be less efficient. Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription. 

 

Important information about some of the ingredients of FERINJECT ;

This medicinal product contains 5.5 mg (or 0.24 mmol) sodium per millilitre of undiluted solution and is to be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

 

WHAT ARE THE RISKS? 

Like all medicines, FERINJECT can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.  Clinical studies experience: Reported side effects are either common (occurring in less than 1 in 10 and more than 1 in 100 patients) or uncommon (occurring in less than 1 in 100 and more than 1 in 1000 patients).  The following symptoms were common: headache, dizziness, hypertension, nausea, injection site reactions, low blood phosphate levels.  The following symptoms were uncommon: hypersensitivity, paraesthesia, increase in heart rate (tachycardia), hypotension, flushing, difficulty breathing, taste disturbance, vomiting, dyspepsia, flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, itchiness, hives (urticaria), redness (erythema), rash, muscle pain, muscle spasm, back pain, joint pain, fever, fatigue, chest pain, accumulation of fluid in the periphery, pain and chills. Long-lasting brown discoloration of the skin may occur due to leakage of the drug at the injection site.  The following symptoms were rare: anaphylactoid reactions, rigors, malaise.  Some blood parameters may change temporarily, which could be detected in laboratory tests.  The following change in blood parameters is common: increase of the liver enzyme alanine aminotransferase.  The following changes in blood parameters are uncommon: increase of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, blood lactate dehydrogenase and blood alkaline phosphatase

 

HOW IS THE FERINJECT ADMINISTERED?

FERINJECT is administered via intravenous infusion. You may receive up to 20 mL of FERINJECT, corresponding to 1000 mg of iron, directly into the vein. FERINJECT is diluted with 100mls of sodium chloride for the infusion and will appear as a brown solution. 

Your doctor will take responsibility for determining the appropriate dose and choosing the method, frequency and duration of your treatment. Infusions will be administered over at least 15 minutes; patients will require monitoring throughout this time and for at least 30 minutes post infusion. You will be assessed by your Doctor before being discharged. 

If you are having a FERINJECT at our facility please allow around 1 hour. After the infusion you are able to drive, and can continue to perform your normal activity and work.