Desferal Dosage

Generic name: deferoxamine
Drug classes: Antidotes, Chelating agents

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

Recommended Adult Dosing

Dosage forms:  INJ

Iron overload, chronic

[0.5-1 g IM qd]

Alt: 1-2 g/day or 20-40 mg/kg/day SC infusion; Max: 1 g/day if no transfusion; 6 g/day if transfusion; Info: also give 2 g IV x1/unit PRBCs

Iron intoxication, acute

[15 mg/kg/h IV]

Alt: 1 g IM x1 then 0.5 g IM q4h x2, then 0.5 g IM q4-12h; Max: 35 mg/kg/h IV; 6 g/day IM; Info: optimal duration not defined, prolonged use >24-48h may incr. risk of ARDS; 100 mg deferoxamine chelates 9 mg free Fe

Renal dosing

CrCl 10-50: decr. usual dose by 50%; CrCl <10: avoid use

HD/PD: avoid use

Hepatic dosing

[not defined]

 Recommended Peds Dosing

Dosage forms:  INJ

Iron overload, chronic

[3 yo and older]

Dose: 0.5-1 g IM qd; Alt: 1-2 g/day or 20-40 mg/kg/day SC infusion; Max: 1 g/day if no transfusion; 6 g/day if transfusion; Info: also give 2 g IV x1/unit PRBCs

Iron intoxication, acute

[3 yo and older]

Dose: 15 mg/kg/h IV; Alt: 1 g IM x1 then 0.5 g IM q4h x2, then 0.5 g IM q4-12h; Max: 35 mg/kg/h IV; 6 g/day IM; Info: optimal duration not defined, prolonged use >24-48h may incr. risk of ARDS; 100 mg deferoxamine chelates 9 mg free Fe

Renal dosing

CrCl 10-50: decr. usual dose by 25-50%; CrCl <10: avoid use

HD/PD: avoid use

Hepatic dosing

[not defined]

SRC: NLM .