Infrequently, iron dextran for injection might cause severe allergic reactions. It should be used only when clearly needed and when a patient is unable to take oral forms of iron.


There might be various protocols used. One example of intravenous application of iron dextran is: first intravenous application of normal saline solution in which Iron Dextran as test dose is given. After monitoring the patient’s vital signs for one hour and not detecting complications, adequate pre-medications with appropriate speed of application should be given. The pre-medications are used to prevent possible complications from taking Iron Dextran. Only when the pre-medications are given, is Iron Dextran administered.


There are other iron injections that do not contain dextran (but other components such as sucrose) which might be the one responsible for possible allergic reactions.


You might want to consult with the doctors in the facility where the Iron Dextran was administered to check what protocol they use. The number of iron sucrose injections needed might depend on the level of anemia, which number was not provided. In the end, taking iron sucrose instead of iron dextran is recommended to avoid the allergic reactions. However, one of the possible side effects of the first drug is provoking hypotension.


For additional information about the most frequently used protocols when Iron Dextran is administered you might want to consult a specialist in hematology.