Generic Name: iron dextran
Brand Name: Infed injection
Drug Reviews Drug and Medication User Reviews
Have low ferritin of 6 due to heavy periods. Hematologist sent me for an Infed iv. Ten minutes after test dose I felt faint, had stars in my eyes, hot and sweaty and blood pressure fell to 84/43. Had to be given a bolus of fluids, solumedrol and supplemental oxygen via a cannula until it resolved. Had a bad reaction and infusion was cancelled. No thanks. Awful experience after was told reactions are very rare.
When I went for my 1st infusion session, the nurse gave me Benadryl & Tylenol to stave potential allergic reactions, which I found interesting because they still wait 30 minutes after the test dose to see if you have a reaction. I came through fine, even went to work afterwards. But at 3:45 am I woke with a headache. I took pain meds, which helped. Around 5:30 I became extremely nauseous, with bad stomach cramps and full body pain. Around 7 am I consulted no less than 5 medical websites, including this one and Mayo Clinic, and they all said these were common side effects of iron infusion treatment. At 9 am I called the hematologist's office (where I had the infusion) and he said "People don't have reactions to iron. Your blood pressure was high yesterday so that's what's making you sick. Go to the ER." I hadn't taken my pill before the session because I didn't want to keep rushing to the bathroom. I've had HBP for 12 years, it's never given me diarrhea, nausea, cramps, or pain. Also, the IV treatment is for those who can't store iron or tolerate the oral form. He didn't even try the pill form, which I've had before & doesn't make me sick! And I'm supposed to have 5 more sessions of this? I don't think so!
I have used Iron INFED approximately every 18 months or so give or take a few in between. I'm fortunate to live in N.M. A state with a Iron Infusion center and a really great Doctor who I trust. While my iron slowly depletes and partly because I can't just store iron in my body after a surgery in 2003 my ferritin level goes as low as 2. The INFED I pick to take at once but because of the dosage needed it takes slightly longer then the usual 4 hours so about 6 hours to get it down after the prep dosage and such. I can't stress how much better I feel afterward give a week to two weeks later and I recall how it feels to feel normal and half alive. Sure it takes the entire day but it brings back my ability to make oxygen and all that. Iron anemia takes its toll on your body in ways you'll never truly understand till you've felt it. This really makes me feel normal for a while.
Horrible. It's used first because it's the cheapest, but it has the highest occurrence of allergic reactions. My blood pressure spiked, I was flushed, throat became irritated, coughing and wheezing, and I almost went to the ER. This was just during the test dose. It's horrible stuff.
Didn't make it through 90 seconds of the test dose. Severe drop in blood pressure, respiratory distress, diaphoresis,loss of conciseness, nausea along with several other nasty symptoms. Was sent by ambulance to the ER. It seems Iron Dextran is the least friendly IV Iron.
I've had 2 Infed infusions within 6 weeks of each other. I haven't experienced any side effects.
I have had 2 iv Infed treatments so far. I am doing weekly treatments of 200ml each. I had gastric bipass surgery in 2009 and now cannot tolerate or absorb oral iron. I have had extreme exhaustion, headaches and feelings of shakiness. Before each treatment I am given benedryl and steroids. I do get the flushing feeling and restless leg feeling achiness all over.
I have crohn's disease. I do not absorb Iron. Between low Iron, Ferritin and B-12, it is ridiculous. Infed is not something I find so easy to take. I have infusions about 3 to 4 times a year. I get severe back pain, nausea, headache, very low blood pressure and am sick for about a week with these symptoms. Once it kicks in however, I am at least able to function on a daily basis. However, I would not suggest to anyone who is able to take an oral supplement for this problem. Infed will knock you on your butt!
I have been on infed for 4-5 years. Have experienced some side effects mentioned in other posts. I have a question for other iron dextran patients. Have you noticed extreme drying of skin especially on face?
I lost a lot of blood over a months time from uterine fibroids. I then had a hysterectomy wher I lost more blood. My iron level was 13. I took the IV iron treatment yesterday and I felt like they gave me lead. I've never been so tired in my life. I'm looking forwards to some benefits over the next few days. This is heavy duty stuff.
I thought I was going to die. Immediate severe pain in chest like crushing pain, moving to full length of spinal muscles. low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.
this treatment is awsome. I love drugs.
i had a two minute siezure at the doctors office from infed,and woke up surrounded by ems. and ended up in the er. i told the nurse at the office before the siezure that my back was in pain and my legs were numb.
I feel like a new woman about 8 days after these treatments. I would reccommend pushing as much fluid as possible during treatment. The first time I had severe muscle pain & cramping in my back for about 8 days, but the pharmacist reccommended slowing the infusion rate and drinking as much fluid as possible (park yourself near a bathroom...) and it worked! The results are definitely worth the treatment. I still feel a little derained after infusions, but when the iron levels peak a week later, I remember why I go through this every year. It is definitely worth it.
First of all, thanks to some of the other reviewers for scaring the begeezus out of me prior to my treatment! My treatment was prefaced with bags of steroids, benedryl, and one for nausea like prilosec or something. Then I did a test bag, waited an hour (no reaction) and then got what amounts to a GRAM of iron dosage. All went well and I lived through it!
i was 8 months pregnant. only 2ml of test dose was given before i went into shock, and my baby's heart rate dropped to 50 bpm needless to say less than 12 minutes after dose was given, i was in operating room having an emergency c section, resulting in a 5 week early baby who was in thr NICU for two weeks! Please do not take if you are pregnant!!!! My baby and myself almost died!
The test dose and first treatment were problem free. The second dose caused back pain. I had a very severe allergic reaction on my third treatment. It occured about 30 minutes after the injection. I broke out in welts and uncontrollable itching. I had to be given steriods and Benedryl to reverse the reaction.
At administration of my first dose ONLY two tenths of a cc were injected & I immediately went in to severe anaphalactic shock & nearly died. I only had time to say pray before I was unconcious.
i JUST STARTED THE TREATMENT & I AM PREGNANT, I AM GOING ON MY 4TH DAY & HAVE REALLY BAD PAIN IN MY LOWER BACK & LEGS. i HAVE A PHOBIA OF NEEDLES & I HAVE TO CONTINUE MY TREATMENT FOR THE NEXT 9 DAY'S, I HAVE HAD 1 ANXIETY ATTACK DUE TO THIS & FEEL NO DIFFERENT THAN USUAL OTHER THAN ADDED STRESS & PAIN.
No adverse reactions during the IV treatment but I have experienced headaches, malaise and chills the day after the infusion was givern (today)