Injectafer Injection: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Injectafer (ferric carboxymaltose injection) is an injectable iron replacement product given into a vein. It is used to treat iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency in certain heart failure patients. Because it is given into a vein, the iron in Injectafer goes directly into the bloodstream. It belongs to the iron products drug class.

What is Injectafer Injection

Injectafer is an injectable iron replacement product given into a vein. It is used to treat iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency in certain heart failure patients. Because it is given into a vein, the iron in Injectafer goes directly into the bloodstream.

Injectafer Injection uses

• Treats iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adults and children 1 year of age and older who cannot tolerate oral iron or who have not responded well to oral iron
• Treats iron deficiency anemia in adults who have non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease
• Treats iron deficiency in adults with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II/III heart failure to improve exercise capacity

Benefits of Injectafer Injection

• Delivers iron directly into the bloodstream when oral iron has not worked or cannot be tolerated
• May improve the ability to exercise in adults with iron deficiency and heart failure

How Injectafer Injection works

Injectafer is a complex of iron and a carbohydrate polymer that releases iron into the body, which the body then uses to help produce red blood cells that carry oxygen.

Injectafer Injection dosage

Injectafer is given into a vein (intravenously) by a healthcare provider, either as a slow injection or as an infusion. It is usually given in two doses at least 7 days apart for iron deficiency anemia, or 6 weeks apart for iron deficiency with heart failure. It may be given as a single-dose treatment if your healthcare provider decides it is right for you, and treatment may be repeated if needed. Your healthcare provider will watch you during the infusion and for at least 30 minutes afterward for signs of an allergic reaction. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any leaking or discoloration at the injection site during the infusion.

Available forms and strengths

Injection for intravenous use (solution)

Side effects of Injectafer Injection

Common

• Nausea
• High blood pressure
• Flushing
• Injection site reactions
• Skin redness or discoloration
• Low levels of phosphate in the blood
• Dizziness
• Rash (in children)
• Headache (in children)
• Vomiting (in children)

Serious

• Serious, life-threatening allergic reactions
• Low blood phosphate levels that can lead to softening of bones and broken bones, especially with repeated treatments
• High blood pressure, sometimes with facial flushing, dizziness, or nausea
• Infection in the digestive system (reported in children)
• Increased liver enzyme levels (reported in children)
• Decreased platelet levels (reported in children)
• Decreased white blood cell levels (reported in children)

Warnings and precautions

• Injectafer can cause severe, prolonged low blood phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia), which can lead to hospitalization, softening of the bones (osteomalacia), and fractures needing medical treatment. This can happen even in people with normal phosphate levels and no risk factors.
• Serious, life-threatening allergic reactions, some of which have been fatal, have occurred in people receiving Injectafer.
• Injectafer can cause high blood pressure, sometimes with facial flushing, dizziness, or nausea, usually shortly after the dose and resolving within 30 minutes.
• If the medicine leaks outside the vein during the injection (extravasation), it can cause long-lasting brown discoloration of the skin at that site.
• Do not use Injectafer if you are allergic to ferric carboxymaltose or any of its ingredients.
• Injectafer may harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant during treatment.
• Injectafer passes into breast milk. It is not known if it will harm your baby, so talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment.
• Injectafer is used to treat iron deficiency anemia in adults with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor about your alcohol use before starting Injectafer treatment.

Storage

• Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
• Do not freeze
• Discard unused portion

When to see a doctor

• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as low blood pressure, dizziness or lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, trouble breathing, swelling, fast heartbeat, cold or clammy skin, blue-colored feet or hands, itching, rash, hives, or wheezing.
• Tell your healthcare provider if you have signs of low blood phosphate levels, such as feeling very tired, muscle weakness or pain, bone or joint pain, or broken bones.
• If your symptoms seem serious or you think you are having a medical emergency, get emergency help right away.

Alternatives

• Venofer (iron sucrose)
• FeroSul
• Infed
• Feraheme
• Monoferric (ferric derisomaltose)
• Accrufer
• Iron sucrose
• Ferrous sulfate