Desferal

What is this medication? Desferal is a prescription medication known as a chelating agent that is primarily used to treat chronic iron overload. This condition often occurs in patients who require frequent blood transfusions, such as those with thalassemia or other types of chronic anemia. When the body receives too many transfusions, iron builds up to toxic levels because the body has no natural way to remove the excess, which can lead to serious damage to the heart, liver, and other vital organs.

The medication works by binding to free iron or aluminum in the bloodstream and tissues to form a stable complex that the body can then excrete through urine or bile. In addition to treating iron toxicity, Desferal is sometimes used to remove excess aluminum from the bodies of patients undergoing long-term kidney dialysis. It is typically administered through an injection or a slow infusion under the skin or into a vein to help maintain safe mineral levels in the body.