Purpose: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia. A single dose infusion of intravenous (IV) iron is a convenient treatment option. Ferumoxytol is an IV formulation of iron that is typically given in two doses of 510 mg each. Utilizing a single dose of 1020 mg over 15 min has previously been described as safe and effective. In July 2018, we began to administer a single 1020 mg dose of ferumoxytol to patients needing IV iron replacement at the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. To evaluate the impact of this change, a utilization review was conducted.
Methods: Outcomes of all patients who received ferumoxytol injections in the 6 months prior to and after the dosing strategy change were analyzed. A total of 140 patients, who received 270 separate IV ferumoxytol infusions, were included in the analysis.
Results: No significant difference in safety was observed, with one infusion reaction occurring in each group (p = 1.00). Efficacy also appeared equivalent with no significant difference between the change in hemoglobin for those who received a single 1020 mg dose versus those who received two 510 mg doses (p = 0.764). As expected, those who received a single total dose infusion of 1020 mg had less clinic utilization (p < 0.0001).
Conclusion: In summary, ferumoxytol administered as a 1020 mg single dose infusion was more convenient and should be considered a safe and effective treatment option for IDA.
Keywords: ferumoxytol; iron; iron compounds; iron-deficiency anemia.
© The Author(s), 2021.