Evaluation of a new method of administration of the iron chelating agent deferoxamine

We compared the effectiveness of deferoxamine administered by twice-daily subcutaneous injections with conventional administration by prolonged subcutaneous infusion in 20 patients with thalassemia. Urinary iron excretion was comparable with the two methods but decreased significantly when the total daily dose was administered as a single injection. Local reactions were similar with infusion and injection. Subcutaneous injections of deferoxamine may be considered as an alternative to conventional infusions.