Ferinject iron infusion

About Ferinject

Ferinject is a special type of iron preparation which we give through a drip. We use it instead of iron tablets.

Why we recommend Ferinject

We recommend Ferinject to people who:

• are anaemic and have not responded to oral (by mouth) iron, or who have been made unwell by taking iron tablets
• are anaemic following the birth of a baby
• have requested not to have a blood transfusion. Ferinject is not a blood product and does not have the risks associated with blood.

We can use Ferinject instead of blood unless you have an urgent need for blood.  Blood transfusions are safe, but there is a small risk of infection.

We will not give you Ferinject if you:

• have anaemia caused by deficiencies other than iron, such as B12, that has not yet been treated
• have been told by a doctor that you have ‘iron overload’
• have had an allergic reaction to iron given to you via a drip
• have had a serious problem with your liver.

How we give Ferinject

We usually give Ferinject when you are in the delivery suite or on the maternity ward.

• Before starting treatment, the midwife will check your pulse, blood pressure and temperature. If you are pregnant, they will check your baby's heartbeat.
• We will put a drip (thin tube) into a vein in your arm. The Ferinject infusion takes about 15 minutes. The midwife will check your pulse, blood pressure and temperature after the drip has finished.
• If you have not had your baby, the midwife will monitor your baby's heart rate before you go home.

It usually takes about an hour to administer Ferinject. Most people go home afterwards, unless there are other reasons to remain in hospital.

The treatment does not affect your ability to drive.

After treatment

Some women will feel a little tired and their urine will be a darker colour the next day.

Most women notice that the symptoms of low iron levels such as tiredness, shortness of breath and dizziness get better within a few days.

Risks and side effects

Risks

• Ferinject can cause problems with allergic reactions. This is uncommon (1 in every 100 cases). 
• It can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). This is rare (less than 1 in every 1000 cases).

We will monitor you closely during and after your treatment, so we can manage any allergic reaction.

Very little Ferinject crosses into breast milk so you can safely breast-feed.

Side effects

As with all medicines, Ferinject can cause side effects.

Common side effects (less than 1 in every 100 cases) include:

• headache
• dizziness
• high blood pressure
• nausea
• injection site reaction, including skin staining.

Uncommon side effects (less than 1 in every 1000 cases) include:

• tummy upsets (vomiting, tummy pain, diarrhoea, constipation)
• hot flushes, fast heart rate, low blood pressure
• muscle and joint pains, backache and muscle cramps
• tiredness, chills, chest pain, swelling, pins and needles
• high temperature, itching and rash.