Venofer

1 What is Venofer?

Brand: Venofer

Generic: Iron Sucrose

Venofer is a form of the mineral iron administered to patients with iron-deficiency anemia due to longstanding kidney disease.

Aside from filtering the blood, the kidneys are also responsible for producing a hormone called erythropoietin (EPO). EPO stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Patients with chronic kidney disease are unable to produce EPO, causing profound anemia.

To address anemia, doctors prescribe medicines called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to stimulate the body to produce red blood cells.

The patient also needs iron supplements from time to time, because iron is needed for the production of red blood cells.

Iron sucrose works to increase concentrations of iron in the bloodstream and is ideal for patients with kidney disease to ward off anemia and promote the effectiveness of ESA therapy.

In certain cases, doctors also use Iron sucrose as an off-label treatment for anemia caused by chemotherapy. Venofer is an injectable drug and requires doctor’s prescription.

2 What to Know Before Using

Before using Venofer, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. You could not take Venofer if you experienced allergies or sensitivities to iron injections.

Tell the doctor if you have hemochromatosis or excess iron buildup before receiving Iron sucrose.

Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Iron sucrose. Iron sucrose is relatively safe for pregnant mothers. However, tell the doctor if you are nursing a baby because many medicines can be expressed in breast milk.

Tell the doctor all the medicines you take before receiving Iron sucrose. Iron sucrose may interact with certain medicines and cause undesirable effects.

You need to tell the doctor if you use the following medications:

  • Alfuzosin
  • Amifostine
  • Atypical antipsychotic medications such as Aripiprazole, Clozapine, Olanzapine, Paliperidone, Quetiapine, Risperidone, and Ziprasidone
  • Barbiturates such as Alphenal, Allobarbital, Amobarbital, Aprobarbital, Pentobarbital, and Phenobarbital
  • Drugs for lowering blood pressure
  • Brimonidine
  • Diazoxide
  • Dimercaprol
  • Duloxetine
  • Herbal medicines
  • Levodopa
  • Molsidomine
  • Nicorandil
  • Obinutuzumab
  • Pentoxifylline
  • Drugs for erectile dysfunction, like Sildenafil (Viagra) and Taladafil
  • Prostacyclin Analogues

Iron sucrose may be given to children and elderly.

3 Proper Usage

Proper usage of Venofer requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. Venofer is injected into a vein (intravenous route) or injected into the dialysis line. You can only receive Iron sucrose in a hospital or dialysis center.

Venofer is injected or infused very slowly to avoid side effects. If you are not undergoing dialysis, Iron sucrose is usually given five times within a 14-day period.

If you are undergoing hemodialysis, Venofer is given during each hemodialysis session until the total dose of 1000 mg (or 10 doses) is reached.

If you are having peritoneal dialysis, two infusions are given 14 days apart and then followed by another infusion 14 days after the second dose.

Contact your health providers if you experience burning, pain or swelling at the injection site. You will be monitored closely for 30 minutes after infusion of Venofer to check for an allergic reaction and other side effects.

If you cannot make it to the appointment where Venofer will be administered, call the doctor immediately. Because Venofer is given by health professionals, overdosing is highly unlikely.

4 Precautions to Take

Before using Venofer, there are some precautions you must take. You will be monitored during and shortly after infusion of Venofer. Make sure to contact your doctor if you experience anything undesirable.

Venofer is known to cause hypotension or too low blood pressure levels, resulting in dizziness and lightheadedness. It is recommended you learn to measure blood pressure levels at home.

5 Potential Side Effects

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Venofer.

Call your doctor if you experience the following symptoms while receiving Venofer:

  • Pain or burning sensation, or swelling at the injection site
  • Chest pain
  • Lightheadedness and feelings of fainting
  • Symptoms of increased blood pressure such as a severe headache, pounding in your neck and ears, anxiety and confusion

Here are the minor side effects of Venofer.

You can call the doctor if you find these symptoms bothersome:

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