DESFEROXAMINE AS IRON CHELATOR IN MANAGEMENT OF BETA-THALASSEMIA: A REVIEW

Abstract

This study reviewed the desferoxamine role in managing the iron overload associated with patients undergo regular blood transfusion. The analysis of review articles showed that desferoxamine effectively remove excessive iron from the body as chelator and prevent iron-induced organ damage in thalassemia major individuals at optimal daily dose of 20-60mg/kg five to seven days/week. Early use of desferoxamine in transfusional iron overload patients can protect from lethal complications associated with deposition iron in heart such as cardiomyopathy, hypogonadism, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism and hypoadrenalism, growth retardation and early death in thalassemia major. Along with benefits there are some adverse effects associated with regular use of desferoxamine such as hearing, retinal and skeletal problems, mostly associated with patients with lower serum ferritin level. So patients require regular monitoring of serum ferritin level. Compliance with long term deferoxamine parenteral administration is poor which drive patients towards oral dosage form of iron chelators.