A hexadenate chelator that binds iron tightly and the iron-DFO complex is excreted in both urine and stool.
Produced by the bacterium Streptomyces pilosus.
Administered as a parenteral infusion with a short half life and is not an active oral agent.
Infused overnight associated a subcutaneous infusion 5-7 nights per week.
Effective in preventing iron overload in Beta-thalassemia.
One molecule of dereroxamine binds a single atom of iron, forming a feroxamine inert complex.
Plasma iron chelated with deferoxamine is eliminated primarily by the kidneys.
Desferal is taken up by hepatocytes efficiently and hepatocellular iron is chelated and the feroxamine is excreted in bile.
Side effects include local skin reactions, hearing loss, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity, growth retardation and local infection.