Injectafer® (ferric carboxymaltose injection) is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adult and pediatric patients 1 year of age and older who have either intolerance or an unsatisfactory response to oral iron, or adult patients who have non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease. Injectafer is also indicated for iron deficiency in adult patients with heart failure and New York Heart Association class II/III to improve exercise capacity.

  • NCCN Guidelines recommend Injectafer—the only high-dose IV iron
    prospectively evaluated in patients with cancer

    (NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Hematopoietic Growth Factors version 1. 2023 - Dec 2022.)
  • The first & only FDA-approved IV iron to treat iron deficiency in adult patients with heart failure1-7

Treating and managing iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia

 

Treatment goals:

Treating iron deficiency (ID) in patients with heart failure consists replenishing serum iron to prevent ID from progressing to IDA.1 Treatment goals of ID include:

  • Improving symptoms, functional capacity and QoL2
  • Treating ID and avoiding any additional damage that may occur from anemia
  • Potentially reversing the negative effects of ID on cardiac muscle and improving overall contractility and ejection fraction (EF)3
  • Increase serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) above the lower threshold of normal. Targeting ferritin levels above 100 μg/L along with transferrin saturation >20%.2 Review lab values for diagnosing ID.

Overall, the treatment of IDA consists of remedying the underlying etiology and replenishing iron stores.1 Treatment goals of IDA include4:

  • Correct the anemia
  • Prevent a further fall in hemoglobin (Hb) for patients with iron deficiency anemia
  • Avoid the use of blood transfusions
  • Increase hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) above the lower threshold of normal. Review lab value as normal values vary by gender and age.

ID and IDA require ongoing monitoring. Until a patient’s iron levels return to a sufficient level, which can take time depending on which therapy they are on, they may still experience symptoms like fatigue.

Two common treatment options for ID and IDA are oral and intravenous (IV) iron.5 The best treatment option can vary based on the underlying condition.

  • Patients with Heart Failure
    and/or NDD-CKD

    Learn more

    Injectafer is approved as a first line therapy for adult patients with heart failure and iron deficiency and/or NDD-CKD and iron deficiency anemia.13

    100% of Iron is delivered into the bloodstream
    100%OF IRON IS DELIVERED INTO THE BLOODSTREAM
    • The full dose of IV iron is available to be utilized in Hb production or stored as ferritin for future use when Hb is depleted14
    • In studies, oral iron therapy was not proven to be effective in iron repletion and did not improve exercise capacity for the treatment of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure2.

    Routinely test across all 3 key indices to determine if your patients’ iron treatment is adequately working15,16

  • All Other
    Patients

    Learn more

    Oral iron is poorly absorbed, even in healthy patients6

    Less than 10% pf oral iron is absorbed
    LESS THAN 10% OF ORAL IRON IS ABSORBED6*

    *A typical dose is a 300-mg ferrous sulfate tablet or 320-mg ferrous gluconate tablets (taken 3 to 4 times daily). Approximately 10% of oral iron is absorbed.5

    clinical consideration Clinical Consideration

    A wide variety of inflammatory conditions can elevate hepcidin, hindering oral iron absorption and reducing serum iron levels.8

    Adherence Issues

    icon-calender

    Data show the adherence rate for oral iron therapy is 40% to 60%.9

    Adherence may be affected by side effects.10

    icon-pill-bottle

    10% to 40% of patients taking oral iron may experience side effects, which may necessitate dose reduction or modification.10

    Adverse reactions reported by ≥2% of patients treated with Injectafer were nausea (7.2%), hypertension (4%), flushing (4%), injection site reactions (3%), erythema (3%), hypophosphatemia (2.1%), dizziness (2.1%), and vomiting (2%).

    Test your patients 14 to 30 days after starting oral iron to see if they are having an adequate response9,10

    About IV iron

    Patients with ID or IDA may require IV iron therapy. This kind of treatment is done in an infusion center.

    Some of the reasons you may prescribe IV iron to treat your ID or IDA patients could include:

    • Oral iron is not absorbing well in the digestive system
    • Blood loss-which con be caused by a number of things including. but not limited to, heavy periods, major surgery or physical trauma, and some gastrointestinal diseases

    With IV iron,

    100% of Iron is delivered into the bloodstream
    100%OF IRON IS DELIVERED INTO THE BLOODSTREAM
  • Patients with Heart
    Failure and/or NDD-CKD

    Learn more

  • All Other
    Patients

    Learn more

Injectafer is approved as a first line therapy for adult patients with heart failure and iron deficiency and/or NDD-CKD and iron deficiency anemia.13

100% of Iron is delivered into the bloodstream
100% OF IRON IS DELIVERED INTO THE BLOODSTREAM
  • The full dose of IV iron is available to be utilized in Hb production or stored as ferritin for future use when Hb is depleted14.
  • In studies, oral iron therapy was not proven to be effective in iron repletion and did not improve exercise capacity for the treatment of iron deficiency in patients with heart failure2.

Routinely test across key indices to determine if your patients’ iron treatment is adequately working.15,16

Oral iron is poorly absorbed, even in healthy patients6

Less than 10% pf oral iron is absorbed
LESS THAN 10% OF ORAL IRON IS ABSORBED6*

*A typical dose is a 300-mg ferrous sulfate tablet or 320-mg ferrous gluconate tablets (taken 3 to 4 times daily). Approximately 10% of oral iron is absorbed.5

clinical consideration Clinical Consideration

A wide variety of inflammatory conditions can elevate hepcidin, hindering oral iron absorption and reducing serum iron levels.8

icon-calender

Data show the adherence rate for oral iron therapy is 40% to 60%.9

Adherence may be affected by side effects.10

icon-pill-bottle

10% to 40% of patients taking oral iron may experience side effects, which may necessitate dose reduction or modification.10

Adverse reactions reported by ≥2% of patients treated with Injectafer were nausea (7.2%), hypertension (4%), flushing (4%), injection site reactions (3%), erythema (3%), hypophosphatemia (2.1%), dizziness (2.1%), and vomiting (2%).

Test your patients 14 to 30 days after starting oral iron to see if they are having an adequate response9,10

About IV iron

Patients with ID or IDA may require IV iron therapy. This kind of treatment is done in an infusion center.

Some of the reasons you may prescribe IV iron to treat your ID or IDA patients could include:

  • Oral iron is not absorbing well in the digestive system
  • Blood loss-which con be caused by a number of things including. but not limited to, heavy periods, major surgery or physical trauma, and some gastrointestinal diseases

With IV iron,

100% of Iron is delivered into the bloodstream
100%OF IRON IS DELIVERED INTO THE BLOODSTREAM

Routinely test across all 3 key indices to determine if your patients’ iron treatment is working13,14 

Hb
Ferritin
TSAT

References:

  1. Iron deficiency anemia. Medscape website. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/202333-overview. Accessed May 3, 2021.
  2. Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(17):e263-e421. doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.012
  3. López-Vilella R, Lozano-Edo S, Arenas Martin P, et al. Impact of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose on heart failure with preserved and reduced ejection fraction. ESC Heart Fail. 2022;9(1):133-145. doi:10.1002/ehf2.13753
  4. Gasche C, Berstad A, Befrits R, et al. Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of iron deficiency and anemia in inflammatory bowel diseases. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2007;13(12):1545-1553.
  5. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Explore Iron-Deficiency Anemia. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ida. Accessed May 3, 2021.
  6. Zhu A, Kaneshiro M, Kaunitz JD. Evaluation and treatment of iron deficiency anemia: a gastroenterological perspective. Dig Dis Sci. 2010;55(3):548-559.
  7. Fernández-Bañares F, Monzón H, Forné M. A short review of malabsorption and anemia. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(37):4644-4652.
  8. Clark SF. Iron deficiency anemia. Nutr Clin Pract. 2008;23(2):128-141.
  9. Cancelo-Hidalgo MJ, Castelo-Branco C, Palacios S, et al. Tolerability of different oral iron supplements: a systematic review. Curr Med Res Opin. 2013;29(4):291-303.
  10. Crichton RR, Danielson BG, Geisser P. Iron Therapy With Special Emphasis on Intravenous Administration. 2nd ed. Bremen, Germany: UNI-MED Verlag AG; 2005.
  11. Okam MM, Koch TA, Tran M-H. Iron supplementation, response in iron-deficiency anemia: analysis of five trials. Am J Med. 2017;130(8):991.e1-991.e8.
  12. Short MW, Domagalski JE. Iron deficiency anemia: evaluation and management. Am Fam Physician. 2013;87(2):98-104.
  13. Kotze MJ, van Velden DP, van Rensburg SJ, Erasmus R. Pathogenic mechanisms underlying iron deficiency and iron overload: new insights for clinical application. EJIFCC. 2009;20(2):108-123.
  14. Kaitha S, Bashir M, Ali T. Iron deficiency anemia in inflammatory bowel disease. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. 2015;6(3):62-72.
  • IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION


    INDICATIONS

    Injectafer® (ferric carboxymaltose injection) is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adult and pediatric patients 1 year of age and older who have either intolerance or an unsatisfactory response to oral iron, and in adult patients who have non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease. Injectafer is also indicated for iron deficiency in adult patients with heart failure and New York Heart Association class II/III to improve exercise capacity.

    IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

    CONTRAINDICATIONS

    Injectafer is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to Injectafer or any of its inactive components.

    WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

    Symptomatic Hypophosphatemia

    Symptomatic hypophosphatemia with serious outcomes including osteomalacia and fractures requiring clinical intervention has been reported in patients treated with Injectafer in the post-marketing setting. These cases have occurred mostly after repeated exposure to Injectafer in patients with no reported history of renal impairment. However, symptomatic hypophosphatemia has been reported after one dose. Possible risk factors for hypophosphatemia include a history of gastrointestinal disorders associated with malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins or phosphate, inflammatory bowel disease, concurrent or prior use of medications that affect proximal renal tubular function, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, and malnutrition. In most cases, hypophosphatemia resolved within three months.

    Correct pre-existing hypophosphatemia prior to initiating therapy with Injectafer. Monitor serum phosphate levels in patients at risk for chronic low serum phosphate. Check serum phosphate levels prior to a repeat course of treatment in patients at risk for low serum phosphate and in any patient who receives a second course of therapy within three months. Treat hypophosphatemia as medically indicated.

    Hypersensitivity Reactions

    Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic-type reactions, some of which have been life- threatening and fatal, have been reported in patients receiving Injectafer. Patients may present with shock, clinically significant hypotension, loss of consciousness, and/or collapse. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity during and after Injectafer administration for at least 30 minutes and until clinically stable following completion of the infusion. Only administer Injectafer when personnel and therapies are immediately available for the treatment of serious hypersensitivity reactions. In clinical trials, serious anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions were reported in 0.1% (2/1775) of subjects receiving Injectafer. Other serious or severe adverse reactions potentially associated with hypersensitivity which included, but were not limited to, pruritus, rash, urticaria, wheezing, or hypotension were reported in 1.5% (26/1775) of these subjects.

    Hypertension

    In clinical studies, hypertension was reported in 4% (67/1775) of subjects in clinical trials 1 and 2. Transient elevations in systolic blood pressure, sometimes occurring with facial flushing, dizziness, or nausea were observed in 6% (106/1775) of subjects in these two clinical trials. These elevations generally occurred immediately after dosing and resolved within 30 minutes. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypertension following each Injectafer administration.

    Laboratory Test Alterations

    In the 24 hours following administration of Injectafer, laboratory assays may overestimate serum iron and transferrin bound iron by also measuring the iron in Injectafer.

    ADVERSE REACTIONS

    Adults

    In two randomized clinical studies [Studies 1 and 2], a total of 1775 patients were exposed to Injectafer, 15 mg/kg of body weight, up to a maximum single dose of 750 mg of iron on two occasions, separated by at least 7 days, up to a cumulative dose of 1500 mg of iron. Adverse reactions reported by >2% of Injectafer-treated patients were nausea (7.2%); hypertension (4%); flushing (4%); injection site reactions (3%); erythema (3%); hypophosphatemia (2.1%); and dizziness (2.1%).

    Pediatric

    The safety of Injectafer in pediatric patients was evaluated in Study 3. Study 3 was a randomized, active- controlled study in which 40 patients (1 to 12 years of age: 10 patients, 12 to 17 years of age: 30 patients) received Injectafer 15 mg/kg to a maximum single dose of 750 mg (whichever was smaller) on Days 0 and 7 for a maximum total dose of 1500 mg; 38 patients evaluable for safety in the control arm received an age- dependent formulation of oral ferrous sulfate for 28 days. The median age of patients who received Injectafer was 14.5 years (range, 1-17); 83% were female; 88% White and 13% Black. The most common adverse reactions (≥4%) were hypophosphatemia (13%), injection site reactions (8%), rash (8%), headache (5%), and vomiting (5%).

    Patients with Iron Deficiency and Heart Failure

    The safety of Injectafer was evaluated in adult patients with iron deficiency and heart failure in randomized controlled trials FAIR-HF (NCT00520780), CONFIRM-HF (NCT01453608) and AFFIRM-AHF (NCT02937454) in which 1016 patients received Injectafer versus 857 received placebo. The overall safety profile of Injectafer was consistent across the studied indications.

    Post-Marketing Experience

    The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Injectafer. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

    The following adverse reactions have been reported from the post-marketing spontaneous reports with Injectafer: cardiac disorders: tachycardia; general disorders and administration site conditions: chest discomfort, chills, pyrexia; metabolism and nutrition disorders: hypophosphatemia; musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: arthralgia, back pain, hypophosphatemic osteomalacia; nervous system disorders: syncope; respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea; skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: angioedema, erythema, pruritus, urticaria; pregnancy: fetal bradycardia.

    CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PREGNANCY

    Untreated IDA in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes such as postpartum anemia. Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with IDA include increased risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight.

    Severe adverse reactions including circulatory failure (severe hypotension, shock including in the context of anaphylactic reaction) may occur in pregnant women with parenteral iron products (such as Injectafer) which may cause fetal bradycardia, especially during the second and third trimester.


    Please see Full Prescribing Information

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION


INDICATIONS

Injectafer® (ferric carboxymaltose injection) is indicated for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adult and pediatric patients 1 year of age and older who have either intolerance or an unsatisfactory response to oral iron, and in adult patients who have non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease. Injectafer is also indicated for iron deficiency in adult patients with heart failure and New York Heart Association class II/III to improve exercise capacity.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Injectafer is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to Injectafer or any of its inactive components.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Symptomatic Hypophosphatemia

Symptomatic hypophosphatemia with serious outcomes including osteomalacia and fractures requiring clinical intervention has been reported in patients treated with Injectafer in the post-marketing setting. These cases have occurred mostly after repeated exposure to Injectafer in patients with no reported history of renal impairment. However, symptomatic hypophosphatemia has been reported after one dose. Possible risk factors for hypophosphatemia include a history of gastrointestinal disorders associated with malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins or phosphate, inflammatory bowel disease, concurrent or prior use of medications that affect proximal renal tubular function, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, and malnutrition. In most cases, hypophosphatemia resolved within three months.

Correct pre-existing hypophosphatemia prior to initiating therapy with Injectafer. Monitor serum phosphate levels in patients at risk for chronic low serum phosphate. Check serum phosphate levels prior to a repeat course of treatment in patients at risk for low serum phosphate and in any patient who receives a second course of therapy within three months. Treat hypophosphatemia as medically indicated.

Hypersensitivity Reactions

Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic-type reactions, some of which have been life- threatening and fatal, have been reported in patients receiving Injectafer. Patients may present with shock, clinically significant hypotension, loss of consciousness, and/or collapse. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity during and after Injectafer administration for at least 30 minutes and until clinically stable following completion of the infusion. Only administer Injectafer when personnel and therapies are immediately available for the treatment of serious hypersensitivity reactions. In clinical trials, serious anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions were reported in 0.1% (2/1775) of subjects receiving Injectafer. Other serious or severe adverse reactions potentially associated with hypersensitivity which included, but were not limited to, pruritus, rash, urticaria, wheezing, or hypotension were reported in 1.5% (26/1775) of these subjects.

Hypertension

In clinical studies, hypertension was reported in 4% (67/1775) of subjects in clinical trials 1 and 2. Transient elevations in systolic blood pressure, sometimes occurring with facial flushing, dizziness, or nausea were observed in 6% (106/1775) of subjects in these two clinical trials. These elevations generally occurred immediately after dosing and resolved within 30 minutes. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypertension following each Injectafer administration.

Laboratory Test Alterations

In the 24 hours following administration of Injectafer, laboratory assays may overestimate serum iron and transferrin bound iron by also measuring the iron in Injectafer.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Adults

In two randomized clinical studies [Studies 1 and 2], a total of 1775 patients were exposed to Injectafer, 15 mg/kg of body weight, up to a maximum single dose of 750 mg of iron on two occasions, separated by at least 7 days, up to a cumulative dose of 1500 mg of iron. Adverse reactions reported by >2% of Injectafer-treated patients were nausea (7.2%); hypertension (4%); flushing (4%); injection site reactions (3%); erythema (3%); hypophosphatemia (2.1%); and dizziness (2.1%).

Pediatric

The safety of Injectafer in pediatric patients was evaluated in Study 3. Study 3 was a randomized, active- controlled study in which 40 patients (1 to 12 years of age: 10 patients, 12 to 17 years of age: 30 patients) received Injectafer 15 mg/kg to a maximum single dose of 750 mg (whichever was smaller) on Days 0 and 7 for a maximum total dose of 1500 mg; 38 patients evaluable for safety in the control arm received an age- dependent formulation of oral ferrous sulfate for 28 days. The median age of patients who received Injectafer was 14.5 years (range, 1-17); 83% were female; 88% White and 13% Black. The most common adverse reactions (≥4%) were hypophosphatemia (13%), injection site reactions (8%), rash (8%), headache (5%), and vomiting (5%).

Patients with Iron Deficiency and Heart Failure

The safety of Injectafer was evaluated in adult patients with iron deficiency and heart failure in randomized controlled trials FAIR-HF (NCT00520780), CONFIRM-HF (NCT01453608) and AFFIRM-AHF (NCT02937454) in which 1016 patients received Injectafer versus 857 received placebo. The overall safety profile of Injectafer was consistent across the studied indications.

Post-Marketing Experience

The following adverse reactions have been identified during post approval use of Injectafer. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

The following adverse reactions have been reported from the post-marketing spontaneous reports with Injectafer: cardiac disorders: tachycardia; general disorders and administration site conditions: chest discomfort, chills, pyrexia; metabolism and nutrition disorders: hypophosphatemia; musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: arthralgia, back pain, hypophosphatemic osteomalacia; nervous system disorders: syncope; respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: dyspnea; skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: angioedema, erythema, pruritus, urticaria; pregnancy: fetal bradycardia.

CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PREGNANCY

Untreated IDA in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal outcomes such as postpartum anemia. Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with IDA include increased risk for preterm delivery and low birth weight.

Severe adverse reactions including circulatory failure (severe hypotension, shock including in the context of anaphylactic reaction) may occur in pregnant women with parenteral iron products (such as Injectafer) which may cause fetal bradycardia, especially during the second and third trimester.


Please see Full Prescribing Information

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