Toxicity of parenteral iron dextran therapy

Parenteral iron dextran is efficacious and safe for iron repletion in patie nts with iron-deficiency anemia. The risk for developing reactions to paren teral iron infusion can be attenuated if patients are carefully selected. P atients with underlying autoimmune disease, malnutrition with indolent infe ction, and risk for iron overload syndromes should be carefully monitored f or complications. Further, the rate of infusion and the route of administra tion of iron dextran play roles in the risk of adverse reactions. The purpo se of this review is to identify and elucidate the mechanisms of the acute and chronic toxicities associated with parenteral iron dextran use.