Iron Dextran

INFeD is indicated for treatment of adult and pediatric patients of age 4 months and older with documented iron deficiency who have intolerance to oral iron or have had an unsatisfactory response to oral iron. INFeD, an iron replacement product, is indicated for treatment of adult and pediatric patients of age 4 months and older with documented iron deficiency who have intolerance to oral iron or an unsatisfactory response to oral iron. ( 1 )

Injection: 100 mg/2 mL (50 mg/1 mL), dark brown, slightly viscous, sterile solution in single-dose vials Injection: 100 mg/2 mL (50 mg/mL) in single-dose vials ( 3 )

INFeD is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated a previous hypersensitivity to iron dextran [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] . Known hypersensitivity to INFeD ( 4 )

Delayed Reactions: May occur with large intravenous doses. ( 5.2 ) Increased Risk of Toxicity in Patients with Underlying Conditions: Monitor for toxicity in these patients. ( 5.3 ) Iron Overload: Excessive therapy can lead to iatrogenic hemosiderosis. Do not administer to patients with iron overload. Periodically monitor hematologic and iron parameters. ( 5.4 )

5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic-type reactions, some of which have been life-threatening and fatal, have been reported following the parenteral administration of iron dextran products, including INFeD. Such reactions have been generally characterized by sudden onset of respiratory difficulty and/or cardiovascular collapse. Fatal reactions have been reported following the test dose of iron dextran and have also occurred in situations where the test dose was tolerated. Administer only in a setting where resuscitation equipment and medications are available. Administer a test dose of INFeD prior to the first therapeutic dose [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 ) ]. Observe patients for at least one hour after the test dose before administering the remainder of the initial therapeutic dose. During all INFeD administrations, observe patients for signs or symptoms of anaphylactic-type reactions. Use INFeD only in patients in whom clinical and laboratory investigations have established an iron deficient state not amenable to oral iron therapy. The factors that affect the risk for anaphylactic-type reactions to iron dextran products are not fully known but limited clinical data suggest the risk may be increased among patients with a history of drug allergy or multiple drug allergies. Additionally, concomitant use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor drugs may increase the risk for reactions to an iron dextran product. The extent of risk for anaphylactic-type reactions following exposure to any specific iron dextran product is unknown and may vary among the products. If hypersensitivity reactions occur during administration, stop INFeD immediately and manage reaction medically.

5.2 Delayed Reactions Large intravenous doses, such as used with total dose infusions (TDI), have been associated with an increased incidence of adverse reactions. The adverse reactions are frequently delayed (1 to 2 days) reactions typified by one or more of the following symptoms: arthralgia, backache, chills, dizziness, moderate to high fever, headache, malaise, myalgia, nausea, and vomiting. The onset is usually 24 to 48 hours after administration and symptoms generally subside within 3 to 4 days. The etiology of these reactions is not known. Do not exceed a total daily dose of 2 mL undiluted INFeD. 5. 3 Increased Risk of Toxicity in Patients with Underlying Conditions Monitor for iron toxicity when INFeD is used in patients with serious impairment of liver function. It should not be used during the acute phase of infectious kidney disease. Adverse reactions experienced following administration of INFeD may exacerbate cardiovascular complications in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may have an acute exacerbation of joint pain and swelling following the administration of INFeD. Patients with a history of significant allergies and/or asthma may have an increased risk of hypersensitivity reactions [see Dosage and Administration ( 5.1 )]. 5. 4 Iron Overload Excessive therapy with parenteral iron can lead to excess storage of iron with the possibility of iatrogenic hemosiderosis. All adult and pediatric patients receiving INFeD require periodic monitoring of hematologic and iron parameters (hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin and transferrin saturation). Do not administer INFeD to patients with evidence of iron overload.

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Delayed Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Increased Risk of Toxicity in Patients with Underlying Conditions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Iron Overload [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 ) ] Fetal bradycardia [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of INFeD were identified in clinical studies or postmarketing reports. Because some of these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Blood and lymphatic system disorders : Leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy. Gastrointestinal disorders : Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. General disorders and administration site conditions : chest pain, chest tightness, weakness, malaise, febrile episodes, chills, shivering, sterile abscess, atrophy/fibrosis (intramuscular injection site), brown skin and/or underlying tissue discoloration (staining), soreness or pain at or near intramuscular injection sites, swelling, inflammation. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders : Arthralgia, arthritis (may represent reactivation in patients with quiescent rheumatoid arthritis – [ s ee Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ] , myalgia, backache. Ne rvous system disorders : Convulsions, seizures, syncope, headache, unresponsiveness, paresthesia, dizziness, numbness, unconsciousness, altered taste. P sy chiatric disorders : Disorientation Respiratory , thoracic and mediastinal disorders : Respiratory arrest, dyspnea, bronchospasm, wheezing. Renal and urinary disorders : Hematuria. Skin and subcutaneous disorders : Urticaria, pruritus, purpura, rash, sweating. Cardiovascular disorders : Cardiac arrest, tachycardia, bradycardia, arrhythmias, acute myocardial ischemia with or without myocardial infarction or with in-stent thrombosis in the context of a hypersensitivity reaction, cyanosis, shock, hypertension, hypotension, flushing (flushing and hypotension may occur from too rapid injections by the intravenous route), local phlebitis at or near intravenous injection site. Most common adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, chest pain, backache, hypersensitivity, dyspnea, hypotension, pruritus, flushing, dizziness. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie Inc. at 1-800-678-1605 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

7.1 Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions Drug interactions involving INFeD have not been studied. Concomitant use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor drugs may increase the risk for anaphylactic-type reactions to an iron dextran product. Large doses of iron dextran (5 mL or more) have been reported to give a brown color to serum from a blood sample drawn 4 hours after administration. INFeD may cause falsely elevated values of serum bilirubin and falsely decreased values of serum calcium. Serum iron determinations (especially by colorimetric assays) may not be meaningful for 3 weeks following the administration of INFeD. Examination of the bone marrow for iron stores may not be meaningful for prolonged periods following iron dextran therapy because residual iron dextran may remain in the reticuloendothelial cells. Bone scans involving 99m Tc-diphosphonate have been reported to show a dense, crescentic area of activity in the buttocks, following the contour of the iliac crest, 1 to 6 days after intramuscular injections of INFeD. Bone scans with 99m Tc-labeled bone seeking agents, in the presence of high serum ferritin levels or following INFeD infusions, have been reported to show reduction of bony uptake, marked renal activity, and excessive blood pool and soft tissue accumulation.

Pregnancy: Risk of hypersensitivity reaction which may have serious consequences for the fetus. ( 8.1 )

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Parenteral iron administration may be associated with hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] , which may have serious consequences, such as fetal bradycardia (see Clinical Considerations). Advise pregnant persons of the potential risk to the fetus. Available data from postmarketing reports with iron dextran use in pregnancy are insufficient to assess the risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. There are risks to the pregnant person and fetus associated with untreated iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy ( see Clinical Considerations). Iron dextran has been shown to be teratogenic and embryocidal in mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, and monkeys when given in doses of about 3 times the maximum human dose. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Untreated iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes such as post-partum anemia. Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with IDA include increased risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight. Fetal /Neonatal Adverse Reactions Severe adverse reactions including circulatory failure (severe hypotension, shock including in the context of anaphylactic reaction) may occur in pregnant persons with intravenous iron administration (such as INFeD) which may have serious consequences on the fetus such as fetal bradycardia, especially during the second and third trimester. Data Animal Data No consistent adverse fetal effects were observed in mice, rats, rabbits, dogs, and monkeys at doses of 50 mg iron/kg or less. Fetal and maternal toxicity has been reported in monkeys at a total intravenous dose of 90 mg iron/kg over a 14 day period. Similar effects were observed in mice and rats on administration of a single dose of 125 mg iron/kg. Fetal abnormalities in rats and dogs were observed at doses of 250 mg iron/kg and higher. The animals used in these tests were not iron deficient. 8. 2 Lactation Risk Summary Trace amounts of unmetabolized iron dextran are present in human milk. There are no data on the effects of iron dextran in breastfed infants or effects on milk production. The development and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for INFeD in addition to any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from the drug or from the underlying maternal condition.

8.4 Pediatric Use INFeD is not recommended for use in infants under 4 months of age [s ee Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) ]. Reports in the literature from countries outside the United States (in particular, New Zealand) have suggested that the use of intramuscular iron dextran in neonates has been associated with an increased incidence of gram-negative sepsis, primarily due to E. Coli.

The circulating iron released from iron dextran, which is subject to physiological control, replenishes hemoglobin and depleted iron stores.