It is helpful to understand infusions, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process. Below are answers to some common questions about infusions.
What is an iron infusion?
Iron infusion therapy involves the administration of iron directly into the vein by a healthcare professional. It’s a way to add more iron to your body than a pill can provide. Your doctor might decide an iron infusion is more appropriate for you than oral iron.
Where do you get an iron infusion?
Some doctors’ offices are equipped to provide IV iron infusions. But your doctor may send you to an infusion center, which is a medical facility that is equipped and staffed for giving infusions. You can find an infusion center near you here.
How can I prepare for my infusion?
Before your first Injectafer infusion:
- Get your questions answered by your doctor
- Call ahead to confirm that the infusion center can provide Injectafer IV iron
- Dress comfortably and eat as you normally would. There are no special dietary requirements
- Bring your insurance card, photo identification, and any other information your doctor has asked you to bring
How much does an infusion cost?
Your Injectafer infusion may be covered by your health insurance plan. Please contact your doctor’s office to confirm your insurance coverage. You may be eligible to save on your Injectafer infusion through the Injectafer Savings Program.
Find out if you are eligible
How long will the infusion take?
Each Injectafer infusion may take about 15 minutes. If Injectafer is administered by slow IV push, it may take about 7.5 minutes. Your doctor or nurse will monitor your response during and after your infusion for sign of an unusual or allergic reaction, usually for about 30 minutes.
Program and if you may be eligible.
The information on this website should not take the place of talking with your doctor or healthcare professional.
If you have any questions about your condition, or if you want more information about IDA or Injectafer,
talk to your doctor. Only your doctor can decide if Injectafer is right for you.
Injectafer® (ferric carboxymaltose injection) is available by prescription only. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider if Injectafer is right for you.
What is Injectafer?
Injectafer is a prescription iron replacement medicine administered only by or under the supervision of your healthcare provider. Injectafer is injected into your vein to treat iron deficiency anemia in adults and pediatric patients 1 year of age and older. Injectafer should be used only if you have not responded well to treatment with oral iron, or if you are intolerant to oral iron treatment. It is also used to treat iron deficiency anemia in adults with chronic kidney disease who are not receiving dialysis.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Who should not receive Injectafer?
You should not receive Injectafer if you are allergic to ferric carboxymaltose or any of the other ingredients in Injectafer. The active ingredient in Injectafer is ferric carboxymaltose, the inactive ingredients are: water for injection, sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid.
What should I tell my doctor or healthcare provider before receiving Injectafer?
Before you receive Injectafer, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have had an allergic reaction to iron given intravenously (into your vein), including Injectafer, or to other non-oral iron treatments
- If you have, or have previously experienced, iron overload, or if your body has difficulty using iron appropriately
- Have high blood pressure
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Injectafer will harm your unborn baby. Your healthcare provider will decide if it is safe for you to take Injectafer
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breast feed. Injectafer passes into your breast milk. It is unknown whether Injectafer would pose a risk to your baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with Injectafer
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
How will I receive Injectafer?
Injectafer is given intravenously (into your vein) by your healthcare provider in 2 doses at least 7 days apart.
What are the possible side effects of Injectafer?
Injectafer can cause serious side effects, including:
- Serious allergic reactions that may be life-threatening, including shock, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and death. Your doctor or healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction during and after each dose of Injectafer for at least 30 minutes. Other serious allergic reactions include itching, rash, hives, wheezing, or low blood pressure. You should report any signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to Injectafer, in particular rashes, shortness of breath, and wheezing to your doctor or healthcare provider
- High blood pressure, sometimes with facial flushing, dizziness, or nausea, has been seen during treatment with Injectafer. This increase in blood pressure typically resolves within 30 minutes. Your doctor or healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of an increase in blood pressure following each use of Injectafer
Other serious side effects that have been reported include rash, difficulty breathing, itching, rapid heartbeat, fever, chest discomfort, chills, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, back pain, muscle aches, and fainting.
The most common side effects of Injectafer include:
- In adults: nausea, high blood pressure, flushing, pain or bruising at the injection site, skin redness, low levels of phosphorous in your blood, and dizziness. Potentially long-lasting brown staining of skin near the injection site may occur if Injectafer leaks out of the vein
- In children: low levels of phosphorous in your blood, pain or bruising at the injection site, rash, headache, and vomiting
Excessive amounts of Injectafer may lead to a condition called iron overload, which is a buildup of iron and may be harmful.
These are not all of the possible side effects of Injectafer.
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
General information about Injectafer
Injectafer may impact laboratory tests that measure iron in your blood for 24 hours after receiving Injectafer. Let your healthcare provider and laboratory staff know if you have received Injectafer within 24 hours of having blood tests.
To report side effects, contact American Regent at 1-800-734-9236 or E-mail: pv@americanregent.com or Fax: 1-610-650-0170.
You may also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
The risk information provided here is not comprehensive. To learn more about Injectafer, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The FDA-approved product labeling can be found at www.injectafer.com/pdf/pi.pdf or call 1-800-645-1706.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Injectafer, including the bolded WARNING regarding hypersensitivity.