Information and support for caregivers of IDA patients
Are you a parent or caregiver for someone who has been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia (IDA)?
If so, we’re here to explain IDA, answer your questions about its causes and symptoms, discuss treatment options, and connect you with valuable resources. We’ll also make suggestions for encouraging the patient along their IDA journey.
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The person I am caring for is a:
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CHILD (aged 1-17)
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ADULT (aged 18+)
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What is Iron Deficiency Anemia and what are its common symptoms?
IDA is a form of anemia that can develop when someone is consuming too little iron, or when their body is losing—or unable to properly absorb—iron.
- IDA interferes with the creation and function of red blood cells
- Those cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body
- As a result, IDA prevents the body from receiving sufficient oxygen
Causes of IDA in children include:
- Too little dietary iron
- Limited absorption of dietary iron
- GI (gastrointestinal) conditions
- Heavy menstrual bleeding: Ask your daughter about her menstrual flow. If it’s heavy, consider talking to her doctor
- Renal (kidney) disease
- Cancer
Signs and symptoms of IDA in children include:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Pica (unusual cravings for non-food or low-nutrient substances such as ice, dirt, or paint)
It’s also possible, however, that IDA patients will exhibit no signs or symptoms.
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What treatment options are available?
Oral iron supplements- Even in healthy patients, the digestive tract can only absorb a small portion—less than 10%—of oral iron. Therefore, the body might not get the full dose needed
- Oral iron can also cause hard-to-tolerate side effects
- As a result, oral iron may not be suitable for some children with IDA
IV iron- If oral iron is inadequate or not well tolerated, IV iron may help your child
- With IV iron, 100% of iron is delivered directly into the bloodstream through a vein
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What is Injectafer?
Injectafer is an IV iron delivered via infusion directly into the bloodstream to provide the most iron per course of treatment.* It is FDA-approved to treat IDA in:
- adults and children (aged 1 and older) for whom oral iron treatments haven’t worked or who couldn’t tolerate the side effects
- adults with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease
Injectafer is well studied and widely used. It has been proven safe in clinical studies with more than 8800 people and used to treat more than 2 million people in the United States alone.
*1 course of treatment with Injectafer is 2 doses of up to 750 mg separated by at least 7 days. -
How do I prepare my child for an infusion?
While infusions are available at some doctors’ offices, they are more typically administered at a specially equipped and staffed medical facility known as an infusion center.
Hematologists (blood specialists) and oncologists (cancer specialists) frequently have experience treating IDA. Therefore, the infusion center is often a hematology or oncology clinic.
To find a facility that provides Injectafer, use this Injectafer Infusion Center Locator.Before the infusion:
- Call ahead to confirm that the center provides Injectafer IV iron
- Dress your child comfortably
- Let them eat normally, since there are no special dietary requirements
- Bring your child’s insurance card (if they have one) and any other information the doctor has requested
During and after the infusion, which typically takes about 15 minutes, a doctor or nurse will monitor your child’s response.
- Children take cues from their parents, so try to be relaxed and calm. They may be comforted by a favorite toy, entertainment as a distraction, or a reward to look forward to
Children fare better when they are willing and active participants in their IDA treatment. Therefore, you should communicate with your child openly and honestly about their IDA and how the two of you—working together with your healthcare providers—can manage it:
- Let them know that IDA is common and treatable
- Explain their treatment plan in detailed, easy-to-understand language
- Reassure them that their treatment may help them
Pediatric Caregiver Brochure
Injectafer is given in 2 doses at least 7 days apart. Be sure your child completes their full course of treatment.
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What is Iron Deficiency Anemia and what are its effects?
IDA is a form of anemia that can develop when someone is consuming too little iron, or when their body is losing—or unable to properly absorb—iron.
- IDA interferes with the creation and function of red blood cells
- Those cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that helps carry oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body
- As a result, IDA prevents the body from receiving sufficient oxygen
Signs and symptoms of IDA in adults include:
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Pale or yellow skin
- Fatigue
It’s also possible, however, that IDA patients will exhibit no signs or symptoms.
-
What treatment options are available?
Oral iron supplements- Even in healthy patients, the digestive tract can only absorb a small portion—less than 10%—of oral iron. Therefore, the body might not get the full dose needed
- Oral iron can also cause hard-to-tolerate side effects
- As a result, oral iron may not be suitable for some adult patients with IDA
IV iron- If oral iron is inadequate or not well tolerated, IV iron may help
- It delivers 100% of its iron directly into the blood stream, usually with minimal side effects
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How does Injectafer help with IDA?
Injectafer is an IV iron delivered via infusion directly into the bloodstream to provide the most iron per course of treatment.* It is FDA-approved to treat IDA in:
- adults and children (aged 1 and older) for whom oral iron treatments haven’t worked or who couldn’t tolerate the side effects
- adults with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease
Injectafer is well studied and widely used. It has been proven safe in clinical studies with more than 8800 people and used to treat more than 2 million people in the United States alone.
*1 course of treatment with Injectafer is 2 doses of up to 750 mg separated by at least 7 days. -
How do I prepare a loved one for an infusion?
While infusions are available at some doctors’ offices, they are more typically administered at a specially equipped and staffed medical facility known as an infusion center.
Hematologists (blood specialists) and oncologists (cancer specialists) frequently have experience treating IDA. Therefore, the infusion center is often a hematology or oncology clinic.
To find a facility that provides Injectafer, use this Injectafer Infusion Center Locator.Before the infusion:
- Call ahead to confirm that the center provides Injectafer IV iron
- Encourage the patient to dress comfortably
- Let them eat normally, since there are no special dietary requirements
- Bring their insurance card, photo ID, and any other information the doctor has requested
During and after the infusion, which typically takes about 15 minutes, a doctor or nurse will monitor their response.
Patients fare better when they are willing and active participants in their IDA treatment. Therefore, you should communicate openly and honestly about their IDA and how the two of you—working together with your healthcare providers—can manage it:
- Let them know that IDA is common and treatable
- Explain their treatment plan in detailed, easy-to-understand language
- Reassure them that their treatment may help them
Patient Education BrochureInjectafer is given in 2 doses at least 7 days apart. Be sure the patient completes their full course of treatment.
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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 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 children 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. Injectafer is used to improve the ability to exercise (exercise capacity) in adult patients with iron deficiency and mild to moderate heart failure. It is not known if Injectafer is safe and effective in children with iron deficiency anemia who are under 1 year of age or in children with iron deficiency and mild to moderate heart failure to improve exercise capacity.
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 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 into your vein
- Have a history of trouble absorbing certain vitamins or phosphate in your body
- Have inflammatory bowel disease
- Have hyperparathyroidism
- Have low vitamin D levels
- Have high blood pressure
- Have previously received Injectafer
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Injectafer may harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with Injectafer
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Injectafer passes into your breast milk. It is not known if Injectafer will harm 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 into your vein (intravenously) by your healthcare provider in 2 doses at least 7 days apart. For certain patients with heart failure, 2 doses may need to be given 6 weeks apart. If your healthcare provider decides it is right for you, Injectafer may be given intravenously by your healthcare provider as a single-dose treatment. Injectafer treatment may be repeated if your healthcare provider decides it is needed.
What are the possible side effects of Injectafer?
Injectafer may cause serious side effects, including:
- Allergic reactions. Serious life-threatening allergic reactions that can lead to death have happened in people who receive Injectafer and may include the following signs or symptoms: low blood pressure, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, loss of consciousness, trouble breathing, swelling, fast heartbeat, cold or clammy skin, feet or hands turn blue, itching, rash, hives, and/or wheezing. Your healthcare provider will watch you during and for at least 30 minutes after you receive Injectafer. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs or symptoms of allergic reactions during or after treatment with Injectafer
- Symptoms of low blood phosphate levels. Injectafer may cause low levels of phosphate in your blood that may be serious and can lead to softening of your bones and broken bones (fractures), especially in people who have received multiple Injectafer treatments. Your healthcare provider may check your blood phosphate levels before a repeat treatment with Injectafer if you are at risk for low blood phosphate levels. If a repeat treatment is needed within 3 months of your last treatment, your healthcare provider should check your blood phosphate levels. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms of low blood phosphate levels during treatment with Injectafer: feeling very tired, muscle weakness or pain, bone or joint pain, broken bones
- High blood pressure. High blood pressure, sometimes with redness and warmth of the face (facial flushing), dizziness, or nausea, has happened during treatment with Injectafer. Your healthcare provider will check your blood pressure and check for any signs and symptoms of high blood pressure after you receive Injectafer
The most common side effects of Injectafer include:
- In adults: nausea, high blood pressure, flushing, injection site reactions, skin redness, low levels of phosphate in your blood, and dizziness.
- In children: low levels of phosphate in your blood, injection site reactions, rash, headache, and vomiting
These are not all of the possible side effects of Injectafer.
Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
General information about the safe and effective use of Injectafer
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Injectafer that is written for health professionals.
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.