Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (224 page)

iron dextran (Rx)

DexFerrum, INFeD

Func. class.:
Hematinic

Chem. class.:
Ferric hydroxide complex with dextran

ACTION:

Iron is carried by transferrin to the bone marrow, where it is incorporated into hemoglobin

USES:

Iron-deficiency anemia

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

 

Black Box Warning:

Hypersensitivity

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, neonates, infants <4 mo, children, acute renal disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis (IV), ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, hypotension, all anemias excluding iron-deficiency anemia, hepatic/cardiac/renal disease

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• 
Total dose in ml = [0.0442 × (desired Hb − observed Hb) × LBW] + (0.26 × LBW)

• Adult and child: IM
0.5 ml as a test dose by
Z
-track then no more than the total dose including test dose following/day:

• Adult/adolescent/child >15 kg: IM
100 mg/day

• Child (10-15 kg): IM
100 mg/kg

• Child/infant >4 mo (5-9.9 kg): IM
50 mg/day

• Infant >4 mo (<5 kg): IM
25 mg/day

Available forms:
Inj 50 mg/ml (2-ml, 10-ml vials)

Administer:

• 
D/C oral iron before parenteral; give only after test dose of 25 mg by preferred route; wait at least 1 hr before giving remaining portion

IM route

• 
IM deeply in large muscle mass; use
Z
-track method, 19-20G 2-3–in needle; ensure needle long enough to place product deep in muscle; change needles after withdrawing product and before injecting to prevent skin, tissue staining

 
Only with EPINEPHrine available in case of anaphylactic reaction during dose

IV route

• 
IV after flushing with 10 ml 0.9% NaCl; give undiluted; may be diluted in 50-250 ml NS for inf; give ≤1 ml (50 mg) over ≥1 min; flush line after use with 10 ml 0.9% NaCl; patient should remain recumbent for 1/2-1 hr

• 
IV inj requires single-dose vial without preservative; verify on label that IV use approved

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache, paresthesia, dizziness, shivering, weakness,
seizures

CV:
Chest pain,
shock,
hypotension, tachycardia

GI:
Nausea
, vomiting, metallic taste, abdominal pain

HEMA:
Leukocytosis

INTEG:
Rash, pruritus, urticaria, fever, sweating, chills, brown skin discolor
ation, pain at inj site, necrosis, sterile abscesses, phlebitis

OTHER:
Anaphylaxis

RESP:
Dyspnea

PHARMACOKINETICS

IM:
Excreted in feces, urine, bile, breast milk; crosses placenta; most absorbed through lymphatics; can be gradually absorbed over weeks/months from fixed locations

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
toxicity—oral iron; do not use

Decrease:
reticulocyte response—chloramphenicol

Drug/Lab Test

False increase:
serum bilirubin

False decrease:
serum calcium

False positive:
99m
Tc diphosphate bone scan, iron test (large doses >2 ml)

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Observe for 1 hr after test dose

• 
Blood studies: Hct, Hgb, reticulocytes, transferrin, plasma iron concentrations, ferritin, total iron binding, bilirubin before treatment, at least monthly

 

Black Box Warning:

Allergy: anaphylaxis, rash, pruritus, fever, chills, wheezing; notify prescriber immediately, keep emergency equipment available

• 
Cardiac status: anginal pain, hypotension, tachycardia

• 
Nutrition: amount of iron in diet (meat, dark green leafy vegetables, dried beans, dried fruits, eggs)

• 
Cause of iron loss or anemia, including use of salicylates, sulfonamides


 
Toxicity:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain (early symptoms), cyanotic-looking lips, nailbeds, seizures, CV collapse (late symptoms)

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage at room temp in cool environment

• 
Recumbent position 30 min after IV inj to prevent orthostatic hypotension

• 
Therapeutic response: increased serum iron levels, Hct, Hgb

Teach patient/family:


 
That iron poisoning may occur if increased beyond recommended level; not to take oral iron preparation or vitamins containing iron


 
That delayed reaction may occur 1-2 days after administration and last 3-4 days (IV), 3-7 days (IM); to report fever, chills, malaise, muscle, joint aches, nausea, vomiting, backache


 
To avoid breastfeeding

• 
That stools may become dark

TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE:

Discontinue product, treat allergic reaction, give diphenhydrAMINE or EPINEPHrine as needed, give iron-chelating product for acute poisoning

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

iron sucrose (Rx)

Venofer

Func. class.:
Hematinic

Chem. class.:
Ferric hydroxide complex with dextran

ACTION:

Iron is carried by transferrin to the bone marrow, where it is incorporated into hemoglobin

USES:

Iron-deficiency anemia

Unlabeled uses:
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB)

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity, all anemias excluding iron-deficiency anemia, iron overload

Precautions:
Pregnancy (B), breastfeeding, children, geriatric patients, abdominal pain, anaphylactic shock, arthralgia, chest pain, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, dyspnea, edema, increased LFTs, fever, headache, heart failure, hypo/hypertension, infection, MS pain nausea/vomiting, seizures, weakness

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• Adult: IV
5 ml (100 mg of elemental iron) given during dialysis; most will need 1000 mg of elemental iron over 10 sequential dialysis sessions

• Child ≥2 yr/adolescents: IV
0.5 mg/kg by slow IV inj over 5 min (undiluted) or diluted in 25 ml of 0.9% NaCl, give over 5-60 min, max 100 mg every 2 wk × 12 wk

Available forms:
Inj 20 mg/ml

Administer:

 
Only with EPINEPHrine, Solu-medrol available in case of anaphylactic reaction during dose

IV route

• 
Do not use if particulate is present or if discolored

• 
Give directly in dialysis line by slow inj or inf; give by slow inj at 1 ml/min (5 min/vial); inf dilute each vial exclusively in ≤100 ml 0.9% NaCl, give at 100 mg of iron/15 min; discard unused portions

• 
Do not use with IV products

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache, dizziness

CV:
Chest pain, hypo/hypertension, hypervolemia,
heart failure

GI:
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

INTEG:
Rash, pruritus, urticaria, fever, sweating, chills

OTHER:
Anaphylaxis,
hyperglycemia

RESP:
Dyspnea, pneumonia, cough

PHARMACOKINETICS

Excreted in urine, half-life 6 hr

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
toxicity—oral iron, dimercaprol, do not use

Decrease:
iron sucrose effect—chloramphenicol

Drug/Lab Test

Increase:
glucose

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Blood studies: Hct, Hgb, reticulocytes, transferrin, plasma iron concentrations, ferritin, total iron binding; bilirubin before treatment, at least monthly


 
Allergy, anaphylaxis: rash, pruritus, fever, chills, wheezing; notify prescriber immediately, keep emergency equipment available

• 
Cardiac status: hypo/hypertension, hypervolemia


 
Toxicity:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain (early symptoms), cyanotic-looking lips, nailbeds, seizures, CV collapse (late symptoms)

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage at room temp in cool environment, do not freeze

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: increased serum iron levels, Hct, Hgb

Teach patient/family:


 
To report itching, rash, chest pain, headache, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, joint/muscle pain, numbness, tingling


 
That iron poisoning may occur if dosage increased beyond recommended level; not to take oral iron preparation

TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE:

Discontinue product, treat allergic reaction, give diphenhydrAMINE or EPINEPHrine as needed, give iron-chelating product for acute poisoning

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