What is Injectafer (ferric carboxymaltose injection)?
Injectafer is an intravenous (IV) iron replacement product that is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (IDA). It was designed to gradually release iron once inside your body, which may decrease the potential for some side effects and give you more iron in just 2 administrations.
The Injectafer Difference
100% OF IRON IS DELIVERED
Even in healthy patients, when taking oral iron, less than 10% is absorbed by the body.*
With Injectafer,
100% of the iron goes directly
into the bloodstream.
*Oral iron is typically taken in 300 mg or 320 mg tablets 3-4 times a day. The body is unable to absorb that much iron in the digestive tract at one time, so iron repletion may be possible in smaller oral iron doses over time.
MORE IRON IN LESS TIME
Injectafer is the only IV iron that provides up to 1500 mg of iron in 2 administrations/doses of up to 750 mg each at least 7 days apart.
up to 750 mg of iron
up to 750 mg of iron
If you weigh less than 110 pounds, you may be given a smaller amount of Injectafer. Your doctor will decide on the most appropriate way to give you your treatment:
- By injection, directly into a vein
- By infusion, diluted in normal saline and given directly into a vein
2 MILLION PATIENTS TREATED IN THE US ALONE
Injectafer has been studied in more than 40 clinical trials with over 8800 patients treated worldwide. Injectafer is approved in over 84 countries, with more than 2 million patients treated in the United States alone.
How is Injectafer given?
- Injectafer is given by IV infusion, usually at an infusion center, where a healthcare professional can administer it directly into the bloodstream through a vein
- Infusion centers are medical facilities equipped and staffed for administering infusions
- Each Injectafer infusion may take about 15 minutes
- Afterward, your healthcare provider will monitor you for about 30 minutes for signs of an allergic reaction
If you are at risk for low serum phosphate, your doctor may monitor your serum phosphate levels if you require a second course of treatment of Injectafer (beyond 2 administrations of up to 750 mg each, at least 7 days apart). Your doctor can discuss risk factors for low serum phosphate with you.
Explore helpful information about preparing for an infusion.
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.