Ferinject听(ferric听carboxymaltose) is special type of听liquid听iron given through a听cannula听into a vein (also known as an 鈥榠nfusion鈥�).听Ferinject听is sometimes used instead of iron tablets听or if the oral tablets have not had the desired effect听during your pregnancy or after your baby has been born.听Ferinject听is usually given over two infusion one week apart to help improve your iron levels.听听
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This will be given in our Day Assessment Unit; your midwife will put a cannula (small tube in your vein) and give a flush of fluid down this. They will then start the听Ferinject听infusion which usually takes around 15 minutes. You will need to remain for around 30 minutes post your infusion to ensure you feel well and then return for your 2nd听infusion.听You will be given a booked time to arrive听at听the unit however based on DAU activity we ask that you allow around 1-2 hours for this appointment.听听听听
If you have low iron that听remains听untreated then it can lead to several of these side effects:听听
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The reasons we would offer this infusion is:听听
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Possible Side effects:听听
Ferinject听is considered safe to use after the first 3 months of pregnancy听and very rarely causes allergic reactions. Throughout your infusion you will be听monitored听by a member of staff and will be asked to report any concerns听you听have throughout the duration听of this.听听
A rare but significant听possible complication听is permanent skin staining or discolouring around the cannula site or听possibly extending听further up the arm. This occurs if there is leakage of the iron听outside your vein. We reduce the risk of this occurring by ensuring the flush of fluid before the infusion begins goes in smoothly.听听
Other听possible side听effects include:听听
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Are there any alternatives听to intravenous iron?听听
As you are requiring intravenous iron it is likely that your doctor has decided oral iron tablets are not effective or you may not be able to tolerate them. If you decide that you do not wish to have intravenous听iron听you may require a blood transfusion to correct your anaemia when your baby is born. Blood transfusions are associated with some short- and long-term side effects/ risks. Please discuss this with your doctor or midwife if you do not wish to have the infusion.听听
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What happens next?听听
Your full blood count (blood test) will be offered after 14 days to ensure that the treatment has had the desired effect on your iron levels. We can prescribe up to 3 infusions following discussions with the obstetric team.听听
If you are taking Iron tablets orally then please stop these for 5 days following your infusion and the midwives on the Day assessment unit will follow up your blood result. They will contact you via the telephone to discuss further actions if any are听required.听听
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Note. This document uses the term women throughout, but this term should be taken to also include people who do听not听 identify听as听women听but who are pregnant, in labour and in the postnatal period.听听
Our Maternity Information Leaflets for parents and service users are reviewed regularly by parents and service users. If you have any comments/feedback about this leaflet or are interested in looking at future leaflets, please contact our Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP)鈥�鈥�听
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91影视 NHS Foundation Trust, 91影视 District Hospital, 91影视, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ听
Our staff at 91影视 District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
