Benefits of parenteral deferoxamine for acute iron poisoning.
OBJECTIVE
To review the benefits of deferoxamine for the treatment of iron poisoning.


METHODS
Both the basic science and clinical literature on deferoxamine were reviewed by comprehensive computer literature search. This was supplemented by references identified from bibliographies of pertinent articles and books.


RESULTS
The basic science literature supports deferoxamine as an attractive antidote for iron poisoning. There were no dose response studies in the human or animal literature. There were no randomized controlled trials or case controlled studies of patients with toxicity (serum iron concentration > 500 micrograms/dL). All data were descriptive and anecdotal. Therefore fundamental parameters such as indications for administration, dose, route and duration of therapy are unclear and efficacy is unproven.


CONCLUSIONS
Deferoxamine is attractive for the treatment of iron poisoning despite the lack of knowledge for its optimal use and remains the drug of choice for the treatment of significant iron poisoning.
Tenenbein
M
M
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy
D000931:Antidotes; D007501:Iron; D003676:Deferoxamine