Deferoxamine

Introduction

Deferoxamine is produced by actinobacter Streptomyces pilosus. It has medical application as chelating agent and used to remove excess poison from body.

• Mechanism of action

• Deferoxamine act by binding free iron in the blood stream and enhancing its elimination in urine. By removing excess iron, the agent reduces the damage to various organs and tissues such as the liver.
• A recent study also shows that it speeds healing of nerve damage.

Uses

• It is used to treat acute iron poisoning
• It is also used to treat hemochromatosis, a disease of iron accumulation that can be either genetic or acquired.
• It is also used to treat aluminum toxicity in some patients.

Dose

• Acute Iron Poisoning
• IM administration is indicated for all patients NOT in shock
• administer 1g IM initially and then 500mg Q4hr for 2 doses
• Maximum dose: 6g in 24 hours
• Chronic Iron Overload
• IM administration: 0.5-1g QD (maximum of 1g QD)