An overview of complications associated with deferoxamine therapy in thalassemia

Thalassemic syndromes are the most common genetic diseases in the world that are related to blood transfusion and iron overload in the body. In s-thalassemia major multiple blood transfusions due to ineffective erythropoiesis lead to iron excess in the body. Iron chelating agent deferoxamine is used to treat chronic iron overload in patients with β-thalassemia in an attempt to reduce morbidity and mortality related to deposition of excess iron in body tissue. However, a very short half-time, the need of repetitive injections and non-specialized distribution in tissues can lead to side effects, such as ophthalmic and renal complications, neurological, skeletal changes and hearing loss, headaches, and infection too. Patients should be monitored periodically for complications. The risk of toxic effects in doses of more than 50 mg/kg/d is higher. Keeping deferoxamine therapeutic index can avoid drug overdose and side effects.