Sodium Ferric Gluconate Injection

Uses

Sodium ferric gluconate injection is used to treat iron-deficiency anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells due to too little iron) in adults and children 6 years of age and older with chronic kidney disease (damage to the kidneys which may worsen over time and may cause the kidneys to stop working) who are on dialysis and are also receiving the medication epoetin (Epogen, Procrit). The injection is in a class of medications called iron replacement products. It works by replenishing iron stores so that the body can make more red blood cells.

Side Effects Of Sodium Ferric Gluconate Injection

Sodium ferric gluconate injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain
• leg cramps
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• fever
• numbness or tingling
• soreness, redness, or burning at the injection site

Sodium ferric gluconate injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Warnings & Precautions

Before receiving sodium ferric gluconate injection:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to the injection; any other iron injections such as ferric carboxymaltose (Injectafer), ferumoxytol (Feraheme), iron dextran (Dexferrum, Infed, Proferdex), or iron sucrose (Venofer); any other medications; benzyl alcohol; or any of the ingredients in the injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); and iron supplements that are taken by mouth. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical condition.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving sodium ferric gluconate injection, call your doctor.

Sodium Ferric Gluconate Injection Dosage

Sodium ferric gluconate injection comes as a solution (liquid) to inject intravenously (into a vein) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient clinic. It is usually injected over approximately 10 minutes or maybe mixed with another fluid and infused over 1 hour. The injection is usually given during 8 consecutive dialysis sessions for a total of 8 doses. If your iron levels become low after you finish your treatment, your doctor may prescribe this medication again.

Sodium ferric gluconate injection may cause severe or life-threatening reactions during and shortly after you receive the medication. Your doctor will watch you carefully while you receive each dose of sodium ferric gluconate injection and for at least 30 minutes afterward. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms during or after your injection: shortness of breath; wheezing; difficulty swallowing or breathing; hoarseness; facial flushing; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes; hives; rash; itching; fainting; lightheadedness; dizziness; weakness; severe pain in the chest, back, thighs, or groin; sweating; cold, clammy skin; rapid, weak pulse; slow heartbeat; or loss of consciousness. If you experience a severe reaction, your doctor will stop your infusion immediately and provide emergency medical treatment.

Other

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will check your blood pressure and order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to sodium ferric gluconate injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Source

All information on sodium ferric gluconate injection has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.