Treatment of iron overload syndrome: a general review

Iron overload is a broad syndrome with a large spectrum of causative etiologies that lead to iron deposition. When iron exceeds defenses, it causes oxidative damage and tissular disfunction. Treatment may prevent organ dysfunction, leading to greater life expectancy.

Literature from the last five years was reviewed through the use of the PubMed database in search of treatment strategies.

Different pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies are available for the treatment of iron overload and must be used according to etiology and patient compliance. Therapeutic phlebotomy is the basis for the treatment of hereditary hemochromatosis. Transfusional overload patients and those who cannot tolerate phlebotomy need iron chelators.

Advances in the understanding of iron overload have lead to great advances in therapies and new pharmacological targets. Research has lead to better compliance with the use of oral chelators and less toxic drugs.