Ferumoxytol for treatment of iron deficiency anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common problem in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Use of intravenous (i.v.) iron effectively treats the resultant anemia, but available iron products have side effects or dosing regimens that limit safety and convenience. Objective: Ferumoxytol (Feraheme (TM)) is a new i.v. iron product recently approved for use in treatment of IDA in CKD patients. This article reviews the structure, pharmacokinetics, and clinical trial results on ferumoxytol. The author also offers his opinions on the role of this product in clinical practice. Methods: This review encompasses important information contained in clinical and preclinical studies of ferumoxytol and is supplemented with information from the US Food and Drug Administration. Results/conclusion: Ferumoxytol offers substantial safety and superior efficacy compared with oral iron therapy. As ferumoxytol can be administered as 510 mg in < 1 min, it is substantially more convenient than other iron products in nondialysis patients. Although further experience with this product is needed in patients at higher risk of drug reactions, ferumoxytol is likely to be highly useful in the hospital and outpatient settings for treatment of IDA.