In this population, chelation should begin two years after transfusions start, serum ferritin levels greater than 1000 mcg/L, or when liver iron concentration (LIC) is greater than 3 mg Fe/g. These patients include those affected by Thalassemia, Sickle cell disease, myelodysplastic syndromes, ineffective hematopoiesis, and other inherited anemic disorders. Transfusion-related iron overload occurs in patients that require frequent transfusions throughout their life. Clinicians can also use deferoxamine as an off-label treatment for aluminum toxicity in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The FDA has not approved deferoxamine as first-line therapy for hereditary hemochromatosis unless there is a contraindication to phlebotomy. The definition of iron overload is serial ferritin levels above 800 to 3000 ng/mL. Outline interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to advance the use of deferoxamine and improve outcomes.ĭeferoxamine (DFO or DFOA) is FDA approved to treat iron overload, either acute or chronic.Review the appropriate monitoring for patients using deferoxamine.Describe the potential adverse effects of deferoxamine.

Identify the mechanism of action of deferoxamine.The information is pertinent for members of interprofessional teams in the treatment of iron toxicity and aluminum toxicity. This activity will highlight the mechanism of action, adverse reactions, interactions, and other factors such as off-label use, dosing, indications, monitoring, and pharmacokinetics.

Deferoxamine chelates non-transferrin bound iron (free iron), iron in transit between transferrin and ferritin (labile chelating iron pool), hemosiderin, and ferritin.

Deferoxamine (DFO) is a medication used for iron (approved indication) and aluminum toxicity (off-label).

Iron toxicity antidote