Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Wellness Library
ferumoxytol

ferumoxytol

Pronunciation: FER ue MOX i tol

Brand: Feraheme

What is the most important information I should know about ferumoxytol?

You should not use ferumoxytol if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an injectable form of iron (including ferumoxytol), or if you have iron overload syndrome or any type of anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency.

Ferumoxytol can cause severe and sometimes fatal allergic reactions, even if you have used this medicine before without any reaction. Get emergency medical help if you have hives, itching, wheezing, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat, or feeling like you might pass out. Watch for signs of allergic reaction for at least 30 minutes after your injection.

What is ferumoxytol?

Ferumoxytol is a type of iron. You normally get iron from the foods you eat. In your body, iron becomes a part of your hemoglobin (HEEM o glo bin) and myoglobin (MY o glo bin). Hemoglobin carries oxygen through your blood to tissues and organs. Myoglobin helps your muscle cells store oxygen.

Ferumoxytol is used to treat iron deficiency anemia (a lack of red blood cells caused by having too little iron in the body).

Ferumoxytol injection is used in people with chronic kidney disease, or in people unable to take oral iron (by mouth) or who have not responded well to oral iron.

Ferumoxytol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving ferumoxytol?

You should not use this medicine if:

  • you have had an allergic reaction to an injectable form of iron (including ferumoxytol); or
  • you have any type of anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • iron load syndrome;
  • any drug allergies; or
  • low blood pressure.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How is ferumoxytol given?

Ferumoxytol is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection, which can take up to 15 minutes to complete.

You will be watched closely for at least 30 minutes after receiving ferumoxytol, to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction to the medicine.

Ferumoxytol is usually given as a single injection followed by a second injection 3 to 8 days later.

You may need frequent medical tests to help your doctor determine how long to treat you with ferumoxytol.

Ferumoxytol can cause unusual results with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests for up to 3 months after you receive this medication. After you receive a ferumoxytol injection, you should wait at least 4 weeks before having an MRI. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have received a ferumoxytol injection.

Ferumoxytol will not affect other types of X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, or nuclear radiation imaging.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your ferumoxytol injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while receiving ferumoxytol?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Do not take any vitamin or mineral supplements that your doctor has not prescribed or recommended.

What are the possible side effects of ferumoxytol?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; wheezing, difficult breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Watch for signs of allergic reaction for at least 30 minutes after your injection.

Older adults who have other health problems may be more likely to have a severe allergic reaction to ferumoxytol.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe dizziness or light-headed feeling;
  • slow heart rate, weak pulse, slow breathing; or
  • worsening symptoms of kidney failure.

Common side effects may include:

  • headache, dizziness;
  • diarrhea, constipation;
  • nausea; or
  • swelling in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.

What other drugs will affect ferumoxytol?

Tell your doctor if you are also taking an oral iron supplement (including ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarate, or ferrous sulfate).

Other drugs may affect ferumoxytol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ferumoxytol.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details