Drug Reference

Ferumoxytol

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Action class
Parenteral Iron Replacement
Chemical class
Iron
Habit forming
No
Availability
Prescription (Rx)

Brand names

Feraheme

Available as

17 ML · Injection

FDA label sections are from openFDA and may not reflect the most recent labeling — confirm against the current DailyMed label.

⚠ Boxed warning
WARNING: RISK FOR SERIOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY/ANAPHYLAXIS REACTIONS Fatal and serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis have occurred in patients receiving Feraheme. Initial symptoms may include hypotension, syncope, unresponsiveness, cardiac/cardiorespiratory arrest. • Only administer Feraheme as an intravenous infusion over at least 15 minutes and only when personnel and therapies are immediately available for the treatment of anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . • Observe for signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions during and for at least 30 minutes following Feraheme infusion including monitoring of blood pressure and pulse during and after Feraheme administration [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. • Hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in patients in whom a previous Feraheme dose was tolerated [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. WARNING: RISK FOR SERIOUS HYPERSENSITIVITY/ANAPHYLAXIS REACTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Fatal and serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis have occurred in patients receiving Feraheme. Initial symptoms may include hypotension, syncope, unresponsiveness, cardiac/cardiorespiratory arrest. • Only administer Feraheme as an intravenous infusion over at least 15 minutes and only when personnel and therapies are immediately available for the treatment of anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions. ( 5.1 ) • Observe for signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions during and for at least 30 minutes following Feraheme infusion including monitoring of blood pressure and pulse during and after Feraheme administration. ( 5.1 ) • Hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in patients in whom a previous Feraheme dose was tolerated. ( 5.1 )
Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Feraheme is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adult patients: • who have intolerance to oral iron or have had unsatisfactory response to oral iron or • who have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Feraheme is an iron replacement product indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adult patients: • who have intolerance to oral iron or have had unsatisfactory response to oral iron ( 1 ) or • who have chronic kidney disease (CKD). ( 1 )
How it works
12.1 Mechanism of Action Feraheme consists of a superparamagnetic iron oxide that is coated with a carbohydrate shell, which helps to isolate the bioactive iron from plasma components until the iron-carbohydrate complex enters the reticuloendothelial system macrophages of the liver, spleen and bone marrow. The iron is released from the iron-carbohydrate complex within vesicles in the macrophages. Iron then either enters the intracellular storage iron pool (e.g., ferritin) or is transferred to plasma transferrin for transport to erythroid precursor cells for incorporation into hemoglobin.
How to use / dosing
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose of Feraheme is an initial 510 mg dose followed by a second 510 mg dose 3 to 8 days later. Administer Feraheme as an intravenous infusion in 50-200 mL 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP over at least 15 minutes. Take measures to avoid extravasation, as this can lead to skin discoloration or staining, which may be long lasting. If extravasation occurs, discontinue Feraheme administration at that site. Administer while the patient is in a reclined or semi-reclined position. Feraheme does not contain antimicrobial preservatives. Discard unused portion. Feraheme, when added to intravenous infusion bags containing either 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP (normal saline), or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, at concentrations of 2-8 mg elemental iron per mL, should be used immediately but may be stored at controlled room temperature (25°C ± 2°C) for up to 4 hours or refrigerated (2-8° C) for up to 48 hours. The dosage is expressed in terms of mg of elemental iron, with each mL of Feraheme containing 30 mg of elemental iron. Evaluate the hematologic response (hemoglobin, ferritin, iron and transferrin saturation) at least one month following the second Feraheme infusion. The recommended Feraheme dose may be readministered to patients with persistent or recurrent iron deficiency anemia. For patients receiving hemodialysis, administer Feraheme once the blood pressure is stable and the patient has completed at least one hour of hemodialysis. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension following each Feraheme infusion. Allow at least 30 minutes between administration of Feraheme and administration of other medications that could potentially cause serious hypersensitivity reactions and/or hypotension, such as chemotherapeutic agents or monoclonal antibodies. Inspect parenteral drug products visually for the absence of particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. • The recommended dose of Feraheme is an initial 510 mg dose followed by a second 510 mg dose 3 to 8 days later. ( 2 ) • Administer Feraheme as an intravenous infusion in 50-200 mL 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP or 5% Dextrose Injection, USP over at least 15 minutes. ( 2 )
Side effects
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Iron Overload [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging Test Interference [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] The most common adverse reactions (≥ 2%) are diarrhea, headache, nausea, dizziness, hypotension, constipation, and peripheral edema. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS with Feraheme, contact AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-877-411-2510, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In clinical studies, 3,968 subjects were exposed to Feraheme. Of these subjects 31% were male and the median age was 54 years (range of 18 to 96 years). The data described below reflect exposure to Feraheme in 997 patients exposed to a 1.02 g course of ferumoxytol administered as two 510 mg intravenous (IV) doses: 992 subjects (99.5%) received at least 1 complete dose of ferumoxytol and 946 subjects (94.9%) received 2 complete doses. The mean cumulative IV Iron exposure was 993.80 ±119.085 mg. The safety of Feraheme was studied in a randomized, multicenter, double-blind clinical trial in patients with IDA (IDA Trial 3), [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . In this trial, patients were randomized to two intravenous infusions of 510 mg (1.02 g) of Feraheme (n=997), or two intravenous infusions of 750 mg (1.500 g) of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) (n=1000). Both intravenous irons were infused over a period of at least 15 minutes. Most patients received their second infusion of Feraheme and FCM 7(+1) days after Dose 1. The mean (SD) age of the study population (N=1997) was 55.2 (17.16) years. The majority of patients were female (76.1%), white (71.4%) and non-Hispanic (81.8%). The mean (SD) hemoglobin at baseline for all patients was 10.4 (1.5) g/dl. Serious adverse events were reported in 3.6% (71/1997) of ferumoxytol- and FCM- treated patients. The most common (≥2 subjects) serious AEs reported in Feraheme-treated patients were syncope, gastroenteritis, seizure, pneumonia, hemorrhagic anemia, and acute kidney injury. In FCM-treated patients the most common (≥2 subjects) serious AEs were syncope, cardiac failure congestive, angina pectoris, and atrial fibrillation. Adverse reactions related to Feraheme and reported by ≥ 1% of Feraheme-treated patients in IDA Trial 3 are listed in Table 1. Table 1: Adverse Reactions to Feraheme Reported in ≥1% of IDA Patients in IDA Trial 3 Adverse Reactions Feraheme 2 x 510 mg (N = 997) % Ferric Carboxymaltose 2 x 750 mg (N = 1000) % Headache 3.4 3.1 Nausea 1.8 3.4 Dizziness 1.5 1.6 Fatigue 1.5 1.2 Diarrhea 1 0.8 Back Pain 1 0.4 In IDA Trial 3, adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation and occurring in ≥ 2 Feraheme-treated patients included arthralgia (0.3%), dyspnea (0.3%), flushing (0.2%), chest discomfort (0.2%), chest pain (0.2%), nausea (0.2%), back pain (0.2%), dizziness (0.2%) and headache (0.2%). Across two clinical trials in patients with IDA (IDA Trial 1 and 2), [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] , patients were randomized to: two injections (rapid intravenous injection - prior method of administration no longer approved) of 510 mg of Feraheme (n=1,014), placebo (n=200), or five injections/infusions of 200 mg of iron sucrose (n=199). Most patients received their second Feraheme injection 3 to 8 days after the first injection. Adverse reactions related to Feraheme and reported by ≥ 1% of Feraheme-treated patients in these trials were similar to those seen in Trial 3. In Trials 1 and 2, adverse reactions leading to trea

Safety advice

Conservative summary derived from FDA labeling — defaults to “consult your doctor” unless the label is explicit. Not a substitute for your clinician’s advice.

PregnancyUnsafe
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Limited available data with ferumoxytol use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes. There are risks to the mother and fetus associated with untreated iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy as well as risks to the fetus associated with maternal severe hypersensitivity reactions ( see Clinical Considerations ). In animal studies, administration of ferumoxytol to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes including fetal malformations and decreased fetal weights at maternally toxic doses of 6 times the estimated human daily dose. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defect and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-associated maternal and/or embryo/fetal risk Untreated iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes such as post-partum anemia. Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with IDA include increased risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight. Fetal/Neonatal adverse reactions Severe adverse reactions including circulatory failure (severe hypotension, shock including in the context of anaphylactic reaction) may occur in pregnant women with parenteral iron products (such as Feraheme) which may cause fetal bradycardia, especially during the second and third trimester. Data Animal Data Administration of ferumoxytol during organogenesis, at doses of 31.6 mg Fe/kg/day in rats and 16.5 mg Fe/kg/day in rabbits, did not result in maternal or fetal effects. These doses are approximately 2 times the estimated human daily dose based on body surface area. In rats, administration of ferumoxytol during organogenesis at a maternally toxic dose of 100 mg Fe/kg/day, approximately 6 times the estimated human daily dose based on body surface area, caused a decrease in fetal weights. In rabbits, administration of ferumoxytol during organogenesis at a maternally toxic dose of 45 mg Fe/kg/day, approximately 6 times the estimated human daily dose based on body surface area, was associated with external and soft tissue fetal malformations and decreased fetal weights.
BreastfeedingCaution
…8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of ferumoxytol in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production.…
AlcoholNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
DrivingNo information
No specific information in the FDA label.
KidneyCaution
…be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.…
LiverCaution
…should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.…
Warnings & precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Greater risk of anaphylaxis in patients with multiple drug allergies. ( 5.1 ) • Hypotension: Feraheme may cause hypotension. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hypotension following each administration of Feraheme. ( 5.2 ) • Iron Overload: Regularly monitor hematologic responses during Feraheme therapy. Do not administer Feraheme to patients with iron overload. ( 5.3 ) • Magnetic Resonance Imaging Test Interference: Feraheme can alter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Serious Hypersensitivity Reactions Fatal and serious hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, presenting with cardiac/ cardiorespiratory arrest, clinically significant hypotension, syncope, or unresponsiveness have occurred in patients receiving Feraheme. Other adverse reactions potentially associated with hypersensitivity have occurred (pruritus, rash, urticaria, and wheezing). These reactions have occurred following the first dose or subsequent doses in patients in whom a previous Feraheme dose was tolerated. Patients with a history of multiple drug allergies may have a greater risk of anaphylaxis with parenteral iron products. Carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before administering Feraheme to these patients. Only administer Feraheme as an intravenous infusion over at least 15 minutes and only when personnel and therapies are immediately available for the treatment of anaphylaxis and other hypersensitivity reactions. Closely observe patients for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity including monitoring of blood pressure and pulse during and after Feraheme administration for at least 30 minutes and until clinically stable following completion of each infusion [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. In a clinical study in patients with IDA, regardless of etiology, hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 0.4% (4/997) of subjects receiving Feraheme administered as intravenous infusion over at least 15 minutes. These included one patient with severe hypersensitivity reaction and three patients with moderate hypersensitivity reactions. In clinical studies predominantly in patients with IDA and CKD, serious hypersensitivity reactions were reported in 0.2% (4/1,806) of subjects receiving Feraheme (administered as a rapid intravenous injection – prior method of administration no longer approved). Other adverse reactions potentially associated with hypersensitivity (e.g., pruritus, rash, urticaria or wheezing) were reported in 3.5% (63/1,806) of these subjects. In the post-marketing experience, fatal and serious anaphylactic type reactions presenting with cardiac/ cardiorespiratory arrest, clinically significant hypotension, syncope, and unresponsiveness have been reported. Elderly patients with multiple or serious co-morbidities who experience hypersensitivity reactions and/or hypotension following administration of Feraheme may have more severe outcomes [see Boxed Warning , Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.5 )]. 5.2 Hypotension Feraheme may cause clinically significant hypotension. In a clinical study with Feraheme in patients with IDA, regardless of etiology, moderate hypotension was reported in 0.2% (2/997) of subjects receiving Feraheme administered as intravenous infusion over at least 15 minutes. In clinical studies in patients with IDA and CKD, hypotension was reported in 1.9% (35/1,806) of subjects, including three patients with serious hypotensive reactions, who had received Feraheme as a rapid intravenous injection (prior method of administration no longer approved). Hypotension has also been reported in the post-marketing experience [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )] . Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypotension following each Feraheme administration [see Dosage and Administration ( 2 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 5.3 Iron Overload Excessive therapy with parenteral iron can lead to excess storage of iron with the possibility of iatrogenic
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Feraheme is contraindicated in patients with: • Known hypersensitivity to Feraheme or any of its components [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • History of allergic reaction to any intravenous iron product [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Known hypersensitivity to Feraheme or any of its components. ( 4 ) • History of allergic reaction to any intravenous iron product. ( 4 )

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of Feraheme in pediatric patients (less than 18 years old) have not been established.

⚑ About half of pediatric medication use is off-label and not described in FDA labels — absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children. Confirm with your clinician.

Interactions (label text — not an interaction checker)
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Drug-drug interaction studies with Feraheme were not conducted. Feraheme may reduce the absorption of concomitantly administered oral iron preparations.
Overdose
10 OVERDOSAGE Limited data are available regarding overdosage of Feraheme in humans. Excessive dosages of Feraheme may lead to accumulation of iron in storage sites potentially leading to hemosiderosis. Do not administer Feraheme to patients with iron overload [Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Feraheme is not removed by hemodialysis. Consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdose management recommendations.
Current FDA labels (DailyMed)

2 marketed products on record (RxNorm)

Reference only — not clinical advice. Verify against current FDA labeling and consult a licensed provider. About half of pediatric drug use is off-label and is not reflected in FDA labels; absence of pediatric information does not mean a medicine is unused or unsafe in children.