Iron Pill Overdose: Is Deferasirox Safe and Effective in Treating Iron Toxicity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety and effectiveness of Deferasirox in treating iron toxicity, particularly in the context of iron overdose from supplements. Participants explore various aspects of iron intake, potential health risks, and treatment options, including chelation therapy.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the necessity of taking iron supplements, noting that the recommended daily intake for adults varies and that iron deficiency is uncommon among certain demographics.
  • Concerns are raised about the risks of iron overload and the potential for serious health issues, including organ damage.
  • Participants discuss alternative methods for reducing excess iron, including leech therapy and phlebotomy, with varying degrees of seriousness.
  • There is mention of the absorption rates of iron, with some participants citing that individuals with hemochromatosis absorb significantly more iron, which can lead to poisoning.
  • Deferasirox is introduced as a chelation therapy option, with some participants highlighting its approval by the FDA and its potential advantages over other treatments like Deferoxamine.
  • Concerns about the safety of Deferasirox are raised, including its association with serious side effects and risks, as noted in various sources.
  • Some participants emphasize that chelation therapy should be considered a last resort and that the symptoms of acute iron toxicity can be severe.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the use of iron supplements and the safety of Deferasirox, with no clear consensus on the best approach to managing iron toxicity or the appropriateness of various treatments.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved concerns regarding the risks associated with Deferasirox, including its side effects and the conditions under which it should be used. Additionally, the discussion reflects varying levels of understanding about iron absorption and the implications of iron overload.

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I have seen that the recommended daily intake of iron for adults is 45 mg/day. I've seen even lower estimates. These iron pills that I bought contain 50 mg of iron and give 278% of your daily value intake. The instructions say take two tablets daily.

Isn't this a bit extreme or am I not getting something?
 
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Why are you taking iron supplements? Have you been tested as anemic and advised to take supplements by a doctor?

The recommended daily intake of iron for males age 19 to 50 years is only 8 mg. This is easily obtained from a balanced diet.

Who should be cautious about taking iron supplements?

Iron deficiency is uncommon among adult men and postmenopausal women. These individuals should only take iron supplements when prescribed by a physician because of their greater risk of iron overload. Iron overload is a condition in which excess iron is found in the blood and stored in organs such as the liver and heart.

The body excretes very little iron, please see a doctor. The upper limit for iron is 45mg per day, and again, such supplements should only be under a doctor's supervision when medically necessary. See table 5.

See table 3 http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
 
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A good leeching can get rid of excess iron.
 
SteamKing said:
A good leeching can get rid of excess iron.

What do you mean by "leeching"? Do you mean chelation therapy?

http://www.aamds.org/node/114
 
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No, I mean putting actual leeches on your body, like they used to do. Bloodsuckers, you know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leech

Leeches also produce a powerful natural anticoagulant. They were studied and used experimentally in the 1980s to aid in microsurgery used to reattach body parts. If you want to get rid of excess iron, take a couple of leeches and call your doctor in the morning.
 
Of course, if you don't like leeches, then you can get a phlebotomy (blood letting) on a regular basis.
 
SteamKing said:
No, I mean putting actual leeches on your body, like they used to do. Bloodsuckers, you know.

I thought you might mean that but was afraid to ask, not because it's bad (it's an approved treatment) but because I didn't know how you felt about such things.
 
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They're leeches, you know. I can take 'em or leave 'em ... or leave 'em ... dang it ... or leave 'em.
 
Apparently, according to WebMD.com, the average person only absorbs 10% of ingested iron, while people with hemochromatosis can absorb up to 30%, which can cause iron poisoning.

I have poor diverse food intake and wake up groggy even after more than 8 hours of sleep. I can sleep for 12 hours sometimes. I figured that iron would lower my fatigue.
 
  • #10
Vodkacannon said:
Apparently, according to WebMD.com, the average person only absorbs 10% of ingested iron, while people with hemochromatosis can absorb up to 30%, which can cause iron poisoning.

I have poor diverse food intake and wake up groggy even after more than 8 hours of sleep. I can sleep for 12 hours sometimes. I figured that iron would lower my fatigue.
Too much iron *causes* fatigue. Don't self diagnose, please get checked by a doctor.
 
  • #11
Vodkacannon said:
Apparently, according to WebMD.com, the average person only absorbs 10% of ingested iron, while people with hemochromatosis can absorb up to 30%, which can cause iron poisoning.

I have poor diverse food intake and wake up groggy even after more than 8 hours of sleep. I can sleep for 12 hours sometimes. I figured that iron would lower my fatigue.
Adding to what Evo said... if you need more encouragement to go see a doctor then read up a bit more about haemochromatosis:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haemochromatosis

Iron overload gradually causes damages to various other major organs (heart, liver, pancreas, to name a few).

(I'm not saying this is necessarily what's wrong with you -- there's lots of other things than could cause fatigue, e.g., liver cirrhosis if your username "Vodkacannon" indicates your actual drinking habits. You need to get a professional diagnosis sooner rather than later.)
 
  • #12
a chelating therapy would overall decrease the symptoms of iron toxicity Deferoxamine and now a new with very less side effects Deferasirox can be used.
note: all these are generic names.
 
  • #13
Manish7 said:
a chelating therapy would overall decrease the symptoms of iron toxicity Deferoxamine and now a new with very less side effects Deferasirox can be used.
According to Wikipedia, Deferasirox is not risk-free, and has a rather large question mark hanging over its use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferasirox
Wikipedia said:
Risks (of Deferasirox):
Deferasirox was the #2 drug on the list of 'Most frequent suspected drugs in reported patient deaths' compiled by the Institute for Safe Medical Practices in 2009. There were 1320 deaths reported, perhaps explained by an update to the ADE data of Novartis, and a new boxed warning about gastrointestinal haemorrhage as well as kidney and liver failure.

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferoxamine

Chelation therapy in general sounds like something not to be undertaken lightly:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelation_therapy
 
  • #14
From what I've been reading, it appears that chelation therapy is the last resort.
 
  • #15
you have not focussed , that deferasirox is approved by FDA in 2005.also the symptoms of iron toxicity in acute condition like vomit.,diarrhoea,pain abdomen,coma are much more severe than its side efeects especially in developing countries but not in developed nations.
also note that deferoxamine causes nephrotoxicity as it is excreted in yrine but deferasirox is excreted in bile
so no chance of nephrotoxicity but it causes liver and gastric haemorrhage only in high doses administered !
 

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