Desferal Supplies

Desferal There is only one brand of desferrioxamine (iron chelator) made. The company which manufactures it is Novartis. It comes in a powder form in 500mg vials. In Europe, Novartis has distributed a new "refined" version of Desferal. It has been said the refined version is supposed to decrease site reactions such as itching, swelling, and bumps. In the United States, the FDA needs to approve the refined version before Novartis can distribute it here.

Sterile Water You need this to dilute the Desferal. Even though different companies make sterile water, it is all the same solution. The difference may be the size of the vials it comes in. It is available in anywhere from 10 ml to 20 ml size vials.

Syringe This is used to transfer the sterile water to the Desferal vials, as well as to hold the medication while it is being infused into your body. There are different size syringes ranging from 1 cc to 20 cc. The size you use will depend on the amount of Desferal you need as well as the amount of sterile water you use to dilute the Desferal. Standard use is 5 cc for younger patients to 10 cc for teenagers and young adults. Using more water to dilute the Desferal may <next>

<page 2> <page 3> <page 4>