Venofer

Or other iron infusion preparations. Have you ever had to give on a acute care floor?

I only say this, as I have given it, I think, two times in the last 4 or so years. I looked it up in the drug books and was aware aware that there can be reactions to it. I was thinking reactions as in say, blood transfusion type reactions. So I was super vigilant / careful while I gave it. luckily had no pt adverse rxtns to it.

Now I will be sitting on the other side of the bed. It has been recommended for me to have 4 infusions , and then see where I stand. So in asking questions of the infusion nurse, and of my primary, I get told how risky this can be, which is why they usually give it at an infusion center (heme/onc) .My pcp says" oh, yeah, people have had anaphylactic reactions to this, etc.

So now Im a little leary.Question ONE I know it is given often in dialysis pts- has anyone seen any reactions to iron infusions?

Question 2 And if this is so risky, should this be given on reg. medical floors with no provider physically present?

Thanks

I gave IV iron quite frequently in ortho, but I don't recall the name "Venofer", so I'm not sure if it was the exact same thing you're talking about. Ours came from pharmacy in a 100ml (or possibly 50ml??) piggy back and was administered slowly. I seem to recall hypotension being a huge concern, but I never saw a serious reaction with any of my patients.

Ahh, so it is given on regular floors. ok. Just wasn't sure as we don't see it that often. I had to give it once for a Jehovah's Witness who was a GI bleed. It really helped him.

Venofer is one brand name Ive seen used at my facility. I've seen Iron Dextran, but that one was more likely to have reactions according to my literature.

Iron dextran- sounds like something I would put in my truck's transmission:roflmao:

I've given venofer on the ortho floor as well. It was IVP over about 5 minutes. Same when my mom received it a couple times outpt.

From the FDA

Thank You :)

I was taught to treat it like giving blood in nursing school- frequent vitals. I've given it plenty of times on my cardiac tele unit. I think we run it over 2 hours at my facility. We use the brand Venofer.