What is iron dextran?

FeD (iron dextran injection USP) is an iron replacement product provided as a dark brown, slightly viscous sterile liquid complex of ferric hydroxide and dextran for intravenous or intramuscular use. Each mL contains the equivalent of 50 mg of elemental iron (as an iron dextran complex), approximately 0.9% sodium chloride, in water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may have been used to adjust pH. The pH of the solution is between 4.5 to 7.0.

What kind of drug is iron dextran?

The FDA classifies iron dextran as a parenteral iron replacement. Given by injection or IV, these supply iron directly into the bloodstream wrapped in a protective carbohydrate shell. The iron is gradually released, picked up by the protein transferrin, and delivered to the bone marrow, where it is used to build hemoglobin and treat iron-deficiency anemia. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take iron dextran with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run iron dextran against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is iron dextran sold under?

We track 3 iron dextran-containing products in the U.S.: Infed, Dexferrum and Proferdex. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does iron dextran come in?

Across the brands we track, iron dextran is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic iron dextran?

We do not currently list a generic-labelled iron dextran product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.

Iron Dextran: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Iron Dextran is a parenteral iron replacement sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Parenteral Iron Replacement
Available as: Injectable
Sold as: 3 products — Infed, Dexferrum and Proferdex
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Not in our catalog
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How iron dextran is dosed

From the FDA label for Infed (application NDA017441). Other iron dextran products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Important Pre-Treatment Information Discontinue administration of any iron-containing products prior to administration of INFeD. Assess baseline hematologic (hemoglobin and hematocrit) and iron storage parameters (serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and percent saturation of transferrin) to monitor response to therapy. Administer a test dose of INFeD prior to administration of therapeutic dose [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)]. 2.2 Recommended Dosage for Iron Deficiency Anemia Calculate the INFeD dose based upon Table 1 and formulas below. Continue INFeD until hemoglobin is within the normal range and iron stores are replete. Administer daily doses of no more than 2 mL of INFeD until the total required dose is administered. Monitor response to therapy by evaluating hematologic parameters (hemoglobin and hematocrit) and iron storage parameters (serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and percent saturation of transferrin). Iron storage parameters may improve prior to hematologic parameters. Serum ferritin may not be an accurate measure of body iron stores in patients on chronic dialysis. Table 1: Total INFeD Requirement for Hemoglobin Restoration and Iron Stores Replacement in Patients with Iron Deficiency Anemia* Alternatively, the total dose may be calculated using the formulas below: Adults and Children over 15 kg (33 lbs) Dose (mL) = 0.0442 (Desired Hb - Observed…

Iron Dextran side effects

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. Cardiac disorders: Cardiac arrest, tachycardia, bradycardia, arrhythmias. 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,…

Every iron dextran product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Iron Dextran products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Infed Boxed warning	70/100	Prescription	Injectable	—	—	View →
2	Dexferrum

Frequently asked questions

What is iron dextran?: FeD (iron dextran injection USP) is an iron replacement product provided as a dark brown, slightly viscous sterile liquid complex of ferric hydroxide and dextran for intravenous or intramuscular use. Each mL contains the equivalent of 50 mg of elemental iron (as an iron dextran complex), approximately 0.9% sodium chloride, in water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may have been used to adjust pH. The pH of the solution is between 4.5 to 7.0.
What kind of drug is iron dextran?: The FDA classifies iron dextran as a parenteral iron replacement. Given by injection or IV, these supply iron directly into the bloodstream wrapped in a protective carbohydrate shell. The iron is gradually released, picked up by the protein transferrin, and delivered to the bone marrow, where it is used to build hemoglobin and treat iron-deficiency anemia. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take iron dextran with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run iron dextran against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is iron dextran sold under?: We track 3 iron dextran-containing products in the U.S.: Infed, Dexferrum and Proferdex. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does iron dextran come in?: Across the brands we track, iron dextran is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Iron Dextran drug interactions

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.