Adults

Dosage must be individualized based on iron burden and patient response. Typically, for chronic iron overload, if effective oral absorption is achieved, regimens would be multiple tablets daily, potentially 2-4 tablets (500-1000 mg) per dose, 2-3 times daily.

Elderly

Initiate with lower doses, careful monitoring for adverse effects and renal function.

Renal_impairment

Dose adjustment required. Contraindicated in severe renal failure unless undergoing dialysis for aluminum overload, due to excretion via kidneys.

Onset

Chelation begins shortly after administration, with iron excretion increasing over several hours.

Excretion

The iron chelate, ferrioxamine, is primarily excreted renally. Unabsorbed deferoxamine is excreted in feces.

Half life

The plasma elimination half-life is typically 20-30 minutes for deferoxamine, but the biological half-life of the chelated iron complex (ferrioxamine) can be longer.

Absorption

Oral absorption of deferoxamine is typically poor (less than 15%) and variable, which is why it's primarily given parenterally. For this tablet formulation, specialized delivery might aim to improve absorption.

Metabolism

Primarily metabolized by plasma enzymes (enzymatic hydrolysis) into inactive products.

Prochlorperazine

Transient loss of consciousness has been reported when deferoxamine is given with prochlorperazine.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Concomitant use with vitamin C can enhance iron excretion but may also increase cardiac toxicity in patients with severe iron overload. Vitamin C should only be given to patients with adequate cardiac function and after 1-2 hours of deferoxamine administration.