Authors' recommendations: Intravenous ferumoxytol appears to be noninferior to iron sucrose with regard to its efficacy in both dialysis-dependent and non-dialysis-dependent patients with or without chronic kidney disease who experienced iron deficiency anemia. In addition, the safety profiles of ferumoxytol and iron sucrose are similar, though careful observation for potential rare and severe anaphylactic reactions has been suggested post-infusion. Intravenous ferumoxytol appears to raise hemoglobin and ferritin saturation levels post-administration when administered twice (two to eight days apart) at a dose of 510 mg or once at a dose of 1.02 g with a 15 minute infusion rate. The latter results should, however, be interpreted with caution as these results came from an exploratory observational study with a small sample size. While the efficacy and safety results seem promising with IV ferumoxytol therapy for iron deficiency anemia (regardless of its cause) more good quality studies are required to further validate intravenous ferumoxytol use, particularly as a one dose option. This is especially relevant in those patients who have varying underlying conditions like abnormal uterine bleeding, postpartum bleeding, cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders.No economic evaluations or evidence-based guidelines within the search date parameters were identified.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.cadth.ca/sites/default/files/pdf/htis/nov-2014/RC0608%20Ferumoxytol%20Final.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)