1.1 Acute Iron Intoxication

DESFERAL is indicated as an adjunct to standard measures for the treatment of acute iron intoxication.

1.2 Chronic Iron Overload

DESFERAL is indicated for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with chronic anemia.

1.3 Limitations of Use

Desferal is not indicated for the treatment of primary hemochromatosis (since phlebotomy is the method of choice for removing excess iron in this disorder).

2.1 Recommended Dosage for Treatment of Acute Iron Intoxication for Adults and Pediatric Patients

Intramuscular Administration

Use for all patients not in shock.

The initial recommended dose of Desferal is 1,000 mg intramuscularly once. If needed based on the clinical response, administer subsequent doses of 500 mg every 4 hours to 12 hours. The maximum recommended daily dose is 6,000 mg in 24 hours.

Intravenous Administration

Administer Desferal intravenously to patients in a state of cardiovascular collapse and then only by slow infusion. As soon as the clinical condition of the patient permits, intravenous administration should be discontinued, and the drug should be administered intramuscularly.

The initial recommended IV dose of Desferal is 1,000 mg administered at an infusion rate of up to 15 mg/kg/hr. If needed based on the clinical response administer additional doses of 500 mg over 4 hours to 12 hours at a slower infusion rate of up to 125 mg/hr. The maximum recommended daily dose is 6,000 mg in 24 hours.

2.2 Recommended Dosage for Treatment of Chronic Iron Overload for Adults and Pediatric Patients

Subcutaneous Infusion Administration

The average daily dose of Desferal is usually between 20 and 60 mg/kg. In general patients with serum ferritin level below 2,000 ng/mL require about 25 mg/kg/day. Patients with serum ferritin level between 2,000 and 3,000 ng/mL require about 35 mg/kg/day. Patients with higher serum ferritin may require up to 55 mg/kg/day. It is not advisable to regularly exceed an average daily dose of 50 mg/kg/day except when very intensive chelation is needed in patients who have completed growth. If ferritin levels fall below 1,000 ng/mL, the risk of Desferal toxicity increases; it is important to monitor these patients particularly carefully and perhaps to consider lowering the total weekly dose. The doses specified here are the average daily doses. Since most patients use Desferal less than 7 days a week, the actual dose per infusion usually differs from the average daily dose; e.g., if an average daily dose of 40 mg/kg/day is required and the patient wears the pump 5 nights a week, each infusion should contain 56 mg/kg.

Slow subcutaneous infusion using a portable, light-weight infusion pump over a period of 8 to 12 hours is regarded as effective and especially convenient for ambulatory patients but may also be given over a 24-hour period. Desferal should normally be used with the pump 5 to 7 times a week. Desferal is not formulated to support subcutaneous bolus injection.

Intravenous Administration

Desferal can be administered intravenously if needed in patients with intravenous access.

The recommended dose of Desferal in adults is 40 mg/kg/day to 50 mg/kg/day over 8 hours to 12 hours at a rate of up to 15 mg/kg/hour for 5 days to 7 days per week. Maximum dose is 60 mg/kg/day.

The recommended dose of Desferal in pediatric patients is 20 mg/kg/day to 40 mg/kg/day over 8 hours to 12 hours for 5 days to 7 days per week. The maximum recommended daily dose is 40 mg/kg/day until growth (body weight and linear growth) has ceased.

In case of missed doses, Desferal may be administered prior to or following same day blood transfusion (for example, 1 gram over 4 hours on the day of transfusion); however, the contribution of this mode of administration to iron balance is limited. Desferal should not be administered concurrently with the blood transfusion as this can lead to errors in interpreting side effects such as rash, anaphylaxis and hypotension.

Intramuscular Administration

If given intramuscularly, the recommended dose of Desferal is 500 mg to 1,000 mg per day. The maximum recommended daily dose is 1,000 mg per day.

2.3 Preparation

Reconstitute Desferal prior to administration. Desferal should be further diluted for intravenous infusion. Use appropriate aseptic technique.

Reconstitute each vial of Desferal with Sterile Water for Injection, USP per Table 1. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use if visibly opaque particles, discoloration or foreign particles are observed. The reconstituted Desferal solution is an isotonic, clear and colorless to slightly-yellowish solution. Discard unused portion.

If not used immediately, store at room temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F), for a maximum period of 24 hours. Do not refrigerate reconstituted solution.

2.4 Management of Vitamin C Deficiency

Patients with iron overload usually become vitamin C deficient, probably because iron oxidizes the vitamin. As an adjuvant to iron chelation therapy, vitamin C in doses up to 200 mg for adults may be given in divided doses, starting after an initial month of regular treatment with Desferal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]. Vitamin C increases availability of iron for chelation. In general, 50 mg daily suffices for pediatric patients under 10 years old and 100 mg daily for older pediatric patients. Larger doses of vitamin C fail to produce any additional increase in excretion of iron complex.

5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred in Desferal-treated patients. Reactions have included flushing of the skin, urticaria, hypotension, and shock. These reactions typically occur when Desferal was administered by rapid intravenous injection. Therefore, administer Desferal intramuscularly or by slow subcutaneous or intravenous infusion.

5.2 Auditory and Ocular Toxicity

Ocular and auditory toxicities have been reported in Desferal-treated patients. The ocular toxicities observed have included blurring of vision; cataracts after prolonged administration in chronic iron overload; decreased visual acuity, including visual loss, visual defects, scotoma; impaired peripheral, color, and night vision; optic neuritis, cataracts, corneal opacities, and retinal pigmentary abnormalities. The auditory toxicities reported have been tinnitus and hearing loss, including high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Risk factors for both ocular and auditory disturbances include prolonged treatment duration, higher doses, or low ferritin levels. In most cases, both ocular and auditory disturbances were reversible upon immediate cessation of treatment [see Adverse Reactions (6)].

Visual acuity tests, slit-lamp examinations, funduscopy, and audiometry are recommended periodically in patients treated for prolonged periods of time. Toxicity is more likely to be reversed if symptoms or test abnormalities are detected early.

5.3 Renal Toxicity

Renal toxicity, including increases in serum creatinine (possibly dose-related), acute renal failure and renal tubular disorders has occurred in Desferal-treated patients. Desferal is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease [see Contraindications (4)]. Monitor serum creatinine to assess for changes in renal function.

5.4 Respiratory Toxicity

Acute respiratory distress syndrome has occurred in Desferal-treated patients following treatment with excessively high intravenous doses of Desferal in patients with acute iron intoxication or thalassemia. The recommended daily doses should therefore not be exceeded.

5.5 Growth Suppression

High doses of Desferal and concomitant low ferritin levels have also been associated with growth suppression in pediatric patients. After reduction of Desferal dose, growth velocity may partially resume to pre-treatment rates. Monitor growth (weight and height) in pediatric patients treated with Desferal every 3 months.

5.6 Serious Infections

Yersinia Infections

Desferal may increase the risk of Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infections. Avoid starting Desferal treatment in patients with active Yersinia infections. Should Yersinia infection develop, interrupt Desferal treatment until the infection is resolved.

Mucormycosis

Cases of mucormycosis, some with a fatal outcome, have occurred in Desferal-treated patients. Signs or symptoms are specific to the site of infection. If mucormycosis is suspected, discontinue Desferal, conduct mycological testing, and treat immediately.

5.7 Cardiac Dysfunction With Concomitant Use of Vitamin C

Cardiac dysfunction has occurred in Desferal-treated patients with severe chronic iron overload following concomitant treatment with high doses of vitamin C (more than 500 mg daily in adults). The cardiac dysfunction was reversible when vitamin C was discontinued. The following precautions should be taken when vitamin C and Desferal are to be used concomitantly:

• Vitamin C supplements should not be given to patients with cardiac failure.
• Start supplemental vitamin C only after an initial month of regular treatment with Desferal.
• Give vitamin C only if the patient is receiving Desferal regularly, ideally soon after setting up the infusion pump.
• Do not exceed a daily vitamin C dose of 200 mg in adults, given in divided doses. In general, 50 mg daily suffices for pediatric patients under 10 years old and 100 mg for older pediatric patients.
• Clinical monitoring of cardiac function is advisable during such combined therapy.

5.8 Risks of Desferal Treatment in Patients With Aluminum Overload

Desferal may cause neurological dysfunction (including seizures) in patients with aluminum-related encephalopathy and receiving dialysis, possibly due to an acute increase in circulating aluminum [see Adverse Reactions (6)].

Desferal may precipitate the onset of dialysis dementia.

Treatment with Desferal in the presence of aluminum overload may result in decreased serum calcium and aggravation of hyperparathyroidism.

5.9 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

Desferal may cause dizziness, which may impair the ability to drive a car or operate machinery. Patients should not drive or operate machinery until they know how Desferal will affect their ability to engage in these activities.

5.10 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

Based on findings in animals, Desferal can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal reproduction studies, administration of deferoxamine to pregnant mice and rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused adverse developmental outcomes including decreased fetal body weights and malformations at maternal doses less than those in patients at maximum recommended human dose (MRHD). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential and males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Desferal and for one month after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1, 8.3), Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1)].

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

The following adverse reactions associated with the use of Desferal were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

At the Injection Site: Localized irritation, pain, burning, swelling, induration, infiltration, pruritus, erythema, wheal formation, eschar, crust, vesicles, local edema. Injection site reactions may be associated with systemic allergic reactions (see Body as a Whole, below).

Hypersensitivity Reactions and Systemic Allergic Reactions: Generalized rash, urticaria, anaphylactic reaction with or without shock, angioedema

Body as a Whole: Local injection site reactions may be accompanied by systemic reactions like arthralgia, fever, headache, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or asthma

Infections: Yersinia, mucormycosis

Cardiovascular: Tachycardia, hypotension, shock

Digestive: Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

Hematologic: Blood dyscrasia (thrombocytopenia, leucopenia)

Hepatic: Increased transaminases, hepatic dysfunction

Musculoskeletal: Muscle spasms. Growth retardation and bone changes (e.g., metaphyseal dysplasia)

Nervous System: Neurological disturbances, including dizziness, peripheral sensory, motor, or mixed neuropathy, paresthesias, seizures; exacerbation or precipitation of aluminum-related dialysis encephalopathy

Special Senses: High-frequency sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus visual disturbances including acuity, blurred vision, loss of vision, dyschromatopsia, night blindness, visual field defects, scotoma, retinopathy (pigmentary degeneration), optic neuritis, and cataracts

Respiratory: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (with dyspnea, cyanosis, and/or interstitial infiltrates)

Skin: Generalized rash

Urogenital: Dysuria, acute renal failure, increased serum creatinine, and renal tubular disorders

7.1 Prochlorperazine

Concurrent treatment with Desferal and prochlorperazine, a phenothiazine derivative, may lead to temporary impairment of consciousness.

7.2 Gallium-67

Imaging results may be distorted because of the rapid urinary excretion of Desferal-bound gallium-67. Discontinue Desferal 48 hours prior to scintigraphy.

8.1 Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There are no available data on Desferal use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriages or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.

In animal reproduction studies subcutaneous administration of deferoxamine to pregnant animals (mice or rabbits) during organogenesis at doses approximately ≥ 0.2 (mice) and ≥ 0.7 (rabbits) times the maximum recommended human dose resulted in maternal toxicity and adverse developmental outcomes (see Data). Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Consider the benefits and risks of Desferal for the mother and possible risks to the fetus when prescribing Desferal to a pregnant woman.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population(s) 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 defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

In an embryo-fetal developmental study in mice, pregnant animals administered subcutaneous doses of deferoxamine at 180, and 540 mg/kg/day from gestation day 7 to gestation day 12 resulted in a dose dependent delay and irregularities of fetal skeletal maturation at doses ≥ 0.2 times the MRHD. At the highest dose of 540 mg/kg, in 1/23 fetuses had a unilateral lesion to the eye lens (approximately 0.5 times the MRHD).

In the embryo-fetal developmental studies in rabbits, pregnant animals administered subcutaneous doses of deferoxamine either 200 mg/kg or 200, 300, and 540 mg/kg from gestation day 6 to gestation day 14 resulted in maternal toxicity and embryo-fetal developmental effects at 0.7 times the MRHD). Maternal toxicity included reduced fetal body weights and embryo-fetal effects included malformations of spina bifida, and increased incidence of abnormally ossified ribs and vertebrae.

No maternal toxicity or embryo-fetal effects were observed in rats at deferoxamine doses tested (up to 0.9 times the MRHD).

8.2 Lactation

There are no data on the presence of deferoxamine or its metabolite in either human or animal milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. It is not known whether deferoxamine is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed child, advise patients not to breastfeed during treatment with Desferal, and for one week after the last dose.

8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

Based on animal data, Desferal can cause malformations at doses less than the human dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Contraception

Females

Desferal can cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to pregnant women [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Desferal and for one month after the last dose.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients 3 years of age and older have been established for the treatment of acute iron intoxication and for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with chronic anemia. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients under the age of 3 years have not been established.

Iron mobilization with Desferal is relatively poor in patients under the age of 3 years with relatively little iron overload. Desferal is not recommended for use. The drug should ordinarily not be given to these patients unless significant iron mobilization (e.g., 1 mg or more of iron per day) can be demonstrated.

High doses of Desferal and concomitant low ferritin levels have been associated with growth suppression in pediatric patients. Monitor weight and height in pediatric patients receiving Desferal every 3 months [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5), Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

8.5 Geriatric Use

Clinical Studies of Desferal did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years and over to determine whether they respond differently from the younger subjects. Postmarketing reports suggest a possible trend for an increased risk of eye disorders in the geriatric population, specifically the occurrence of color blindness, maculopathy, and scotoma. However, it is unclear if these eye disorders were dose related. Although the number of reports was very small, certain elderly patients may be predisposed to eye disorders when taking Desferal. Postmarketing reports also suggest that there may be an increased risk of deafness and hearing loss in the geriatric population [see Adverse Reactions (6)]. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

8.6 Renal Impairment

Desferal is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease [see Contraindications (4)].

For patients with renal impairment, dose selection should usually start at the low end of the dosing range.

Deferoxamine can cause increases in serum creatinine (possibly dose-related), acute renal failure and renal tubular disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Monitor patients for changes in renal function.

8.7 Hepatic Impairment

For patients with hepatic impairment, dose selection should usually start at the low end of the dosing range.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Desferal chelates iron by forming a stable complex that prevents the iron from entering into further chemical reactions. It readily chelates iron from ferritin and hemosiderin but not readily from transferrin; it does not combine with the iron from cytochromes and hemoglobin.

Desferal does not cause any demonstrable increase in the excretion of electrolytes or trace metals. Theoretically, 100 parts by weight of Desferal is capable of binding approximately 8.5 parts by weight of ferric iron.

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

Desferal is metabolized principally by plasma enzymes, but the pathways have not yet been defined. The chelate is readily soluble in water and passes easily through the kidney, giving the urine a characteristic reddish color. Some is also excreted in the feces via the bile.

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term carcinogenicity studies in animals have not been performed with Desferal. Cytotoxicity may occur, since Desferal has been shown to inhibit DNA synthesis in vitro.

Desferal was not mutagenic when tested in an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) and was not genotoxic in an in vivo micronucleus assay in rats.

Animal studies to assess fertility effects have not been conducted.