Last reviewed · How we verify
Desferal (deferoxamine)
Deferoxamine is an iron chelator that binds free iron in the body and facilitates its excretion through urine and feces.
Deferoxamine is an iron chelator that binds free iron in the body and facilitates its excretion through urine and feces. Used for Chronic iron overload due to repeated blood transfusions (transfusional hemosiderosis), Iron overload in patients with thalassemia major, Acute iron poisoning.
At a glance
| Generic name | Desferal (deferoxamine) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | ApoPharma |
| Drug class | Iron chelator |
| Target | Ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Hematology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Deferoxamine forms stable complexes with ferric iron (Fe³⁺) and ferrous iron (Fe²⁺), preventing iron from participating in harmful oxidative reactions and tissue damage. The drug-iron complex is readily excreted renally and bilially, effectively reducing total body iron burden. This mechanism is particularly important in conditions of iron overload where excess iron accumulates in organs such as the heart, liver, and endocrine glands.
Approved indications
- Chronic iron overload due to repeated blood transfusions (transfusional hemosiderosis)
- Iron overload in patients with thalassemia major
- Acute iron poisoning
Common side effects
- Injection site reactions (pain, erythema, induration)
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Hearing loss or ototoxicity
- Visual disturbances or retinopathy
- Abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Fever
Key clinical trials
- Zr-89 Crefmirlimab Berdoxam and Immuno-Positron Emission Tomography for the Imaging of Patients With Resectable Brain Tumors (PHASE1)
- Study to Evaluate CD8 PET Imaging as a Marker of Immune Response to Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (ELIXR) (PHASE1)
- Deferoxamine In the Treatment of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (aSAH) (PHASE2)
- Early Screening and Treatment of Heart Complication in Sickle Cell Disease (PHASE2)
- Synergistic Minimally Invasive Surgery and Deferoxamine in ICH (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- The Fifth INTEnsive pReventing Secondary Injury in Acute Cerebral Haemorrhage Trial Within ACT-GLOBAL (PHASE3)
- Safety, Tolerability, and Biodistribution of [89Zr]Zr-DFO-APAC in Subjects With PAOD/CLI and Healthy Volunteers (Acronyms: 89Zr = Zirconium-89, DFO = Desferrioxamine, APAC = AntiPlatelet AntiCoagulant, PET/CT = Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) (EARLY_PHASE1)
- 89Zr-TLX250 for PET/CT Imaging of ccRCC - ZIRCON-CP Study (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Desferal (deferoxamine) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Desferal (deferoxamine) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- ApoPharma portfolio CI