teferrol and Anaphylaxis

An anaphylactic reaction after intravenous Fe injection (Ferrum Hausmann) occurred in an 84-year-old female patient on treatment for iron deficiency anemia. After emergency admission to hospital, it emerged that she suffered an acute anteroseptal myocardial event, but could be mobilized without any problems on adequate cardiac medication. After ruling out any hyporegenerative pathology, the hemoglobin level of 101 g/L registered can probably be explained within the scope of mild renal insufficiency. Instead of the intravenous form of iron (III) sucrose (saccharate) complex (Ferrum Hausmann i.v. / Venofer), the attending general practitioner had administered parenteral iron replacement i.v. in the form of Ferrum Hausmann (iron (III) hydroxide dextran complex), which is intended for intramuscular administration. This is the reason why, firstly, the oral form of administration should be preferred over the parenteral and, secondly, parenteral replacement using the iron saccharate complex should be only initiated in the case of a pathological oral iron load test indicating an iron resorption disorder.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anaphylaxis; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Drug Hypersensitivity; Female; Ferric Compounds; Hematinics; Humans; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery; Injections, Intravenous; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Myocardial Infarction

To investigate whether there are differences in the frequency of ADRs (adverse drug reactions) to parenteral iron preparations, we compared the results of 4 different data collections which contain observations in particular on i.m. or i.v. iron dextran and i.v. iron hydroxide sucrose complex, primarily in relation to anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions and common exanthemas. 1. In 206 patients of the department of general internal medicine in a city/teaching hospital (in association with the Swiss Foundation for Comprehensive Hospital Drug Monitoring--CHDM), 4 probably allergic reactions to i.m. iron dextran were found, one with acute severe dyspnea, cyanosis and flush, 3 with slight generalized, probably allergic reactions. Data from the USA on i.v. iron dextran do not show marked differences in the frequency of ADRs as compared with our data with i.m. administration. 2. A group of 400 otherwise healthy patients of the obstetric department of Zurich University Hospital were treated with i.v. iron sucrose for anemia due to iron loss during pregnancy or following childbirth. Seven generalized skin reactions, 4 in the form of flush and 3 of common exanthema, occurred. 3. In a retrospective study on patients on maintenance hemodialysis with chronic renal insufficiency and anemia, a questionnaire was answered by the medical heads of 17 selected hemodialysis units in Switzerland. Response was 100%. During around 8100 patient-years with approximately 160,000 ampoules of iron sucrose (with 100 mg elementary iron), not a single life threatening reaction was observed; only 5-7 situations of rapidly reversible blood pressure fall occurred, some 10 with flush, and one each with urticaria and vomiting/diarrhea. 4. The relatively good tolerance of i.v. iron sucrose in patients with chronic renal failure may be due either to reduced immune competence in patients with chronic renal insufficiency and/or to the use of the preparation itself, or probably both. 5. In ADRs of allergic appearance to iron sucrose, the 7 generalized skin reactions occurred on the first day of the injections, as did those under iron dextran. Preexisting hypersensitivity must be taken into consideration. 6. If our experience is confirmed, preventive measures with i.v. iron sucrose, mainly in patients with chronic renal insufficiency, could be reduced.

Topics: Adult; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Aged; Anaphylaxis; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Drug Eruptions; Drug Hypersensitivity; Female; Ferric Compounds; Hematinics; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Injections, Intravenous; Iron-Dextran Complex; Male; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Puerperal Disorders; Renal Dialysis; Risk Factors; Switzerland

A simple, safe and potentially cost effective method of giving intravenous iron to patients receiving regular haemodialysis therapy is described. The heparin and iron are mixed in normal saline and given as a continuous infusion via the syringe pump present on the modern dialysis machine. No pharmacological incompatibility was observed between iron polymaltose and Heparin Choay or Heparin Roche. No adverse reactions attributable to i.v. iron were observed in over 400 patients and more than 30,000 dialyses.

Topics: Anaphylaxis; Ferric Compounds; Ferritins; Heparin; Humans; Infusion Pumps; Infusions, Intravenous; Iron; Partial Thromboplastin Time; Renal Dialysis; Safety; Transferrin