Venofer ratings & reviews

Venofer is a brand name for an iron replacement product containing iron sucrose, which is intended for intravenous administration. It comes in a formulation of a sterile, aqueous complex with each mL containing 20 mg of elemental iron. Dosage is available in single-dose vials of 5 mL, offering 100 mg of elemental iron per vial. Key inactive ingredients include water and sucrose, with sodium hydroxide used for pH adjustment.

How should I use this medication?

This medication is infused into a vein. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

Keep appointments for follow-up doses. It is important not to miss your dose. Call your care team if you are unable to keep an appointment.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Painful swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin, brown or dark skin color at the infusion site
• Shortness of breath

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Flushing
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Anemia not caused by low iron levels
• Heart disease
• High levels of iron in the blood
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to iron, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Deferoxamine
• Dimercaprol
• Other iron products

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Chloramphenicol
• Deferasirox

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.

Sometimes, when medications are infused into veins, a little can leak out of the vein and into the tissue around it. If this medication leaks, it can cause a brown or dark stain on the skin. This is not common. It may be permanent. If you feel pain or swelling during your infusion, tell your care team right away. They can stop the infusion and treat the area.

You may need to eat more foods that contain iron. Talk to your care team. Foods that contain iron include whole grains or cereals, dried fruits, beans, peas, leafy green vegetables, and organ meats (liver, kidney).