Low ferritin?

[Honolu]

I’ve been on tirz for two years and am a new woman—except I can’t get my low ferritin to budge despite following the protocols for oral iron supplementation. My doctor is now suggesting iv iron. Co-pay is astronomical.. has anyone bought this in grey? Son is a paramedic and can set up the drip…

 

[Calm Logic]

I found this, from an Indian pharmacy I use:

DM Pharma Bridge Export, Nagpur - Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Drug and Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications

Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Drug, Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications & Anti Depression, Anti Anxiety And Other CNS Meds offered by DM Pharma Bridge Export from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

www.dmonlinemeds.com

They have both ampules and vials of iron. (Personally, I prefer vials for my subq injections, but I have never used iron.)

This vial is for infusion too, but vials are more expensive ($45 in this case):

Encicarb 500mg Injection is an iron replacement product. It is used to treat a type of anemia in which the number of red blood cells is less due to a low level of iron in your body (iron-deficiency anemia). Iron is needed to produce the red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body.

This ampule for IV infusion is much cheaper ($4):

DM Pharma Bridge Export, Nagpur - Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Drug and Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications

Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Drug, Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications & Anti Depression, Anti Anxiety And Other CNS Meds offered by DM Pharma Bridge Export from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

www.dmonlinemeds.com

 

[AndyPanda]

I found this, from an Indian pharmacy I use:

DM Pharma Bridge Export, Nagpur - Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Drug and Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications

Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Drug, Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications & Anti Depression, Anti Anxiety And Other CNS Meds offered by DM Pharma Bridge Export from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

www.dmonlinemeds.com

They have both ampules and vials of iron. (Personally, I prefer vials for my subq injections, but I have never used iron.)

This vial is for infusion too, but vials are more expensive ($45 in this case):




This ampule for IV infusion is much cheaper ($4):

DM Pharma Bridge Export, Nagpur - Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Drug and Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications

Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Drug, Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications & Anti Depression, Anti Anxiety And Other CNS Meds offered by DM Pharma Bridge Export from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

www.dmonlinemeds.com

Also “Orofer S100 Iron Sucrose Injection” from the same vendor.

 

[CrabbyD]

Do some research. IV iron can cause reactions and usually require trial doses. I use Venofer at work and it's known to be fairly safe. I don't know of any sub q iron. I have always given it IV. Any time it would infiltrate my patients would complain of severe burning.

 

[Calm Logic]

I did just read on Reddit that people are sometimes given a corticosteroid before or after their iron IV.

I am more anxious than most, so I would not be doing any IVs outside of a medical facility (with anaphylactic medications, a crash cart, multiple personnel, monitoring equipment, etc). Like I would never go to a med spa for an IV, though some do offer iron IVs. A protocol for iron infusion reactions, including dealing with the relatively mild "sensation of heat":



Granted, something really bad happening is very rare and your son is extremely qualified to deal with emergencies, and he could get a vial of a corticosteroid from India (one is called Meth-Q of all things but they also have hydrocortisone). They even have adrenaline.

The gold-standard approach:

Hypersensitivity reactions to intravenous iron: guidance for risk minimization and management - PMC

Intravenous iron is widely used for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia when oral iron is inappropriate, ineffective or poorly tolerated. Acute hypersensitivity reactions during iron infusions are very rare but can be life-threatening. This ...

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Iron infusions should be given only on appropriately staffed sites equipped with resuscitation facilities. If IV iron is to be given outside hospital, there should be arrangements in place for immediate treat-and-transfer to an intensive care facility in the event of a severe reaction. The EMA states that iron should not be infused in the home.

If I absolutely had no choice, maybe Kevorkian-style in a van...or RV...but in the parking lot of the ER

So...regarding affordability:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Anemia/comments/v7bwjd/comment/ibjzmsk

AR Assist | Patient Assistance

https://www.injectafercopay.com/hcp/faqs

How to save on iron infusion cost​

Many iron infusion manufacturers offer patient financial assistance programs that can help cover some or all of the cost. For example, you can pay as little as $50 for a dose of Injectafer using the manufacturer’s savings program.

Other options include setting up a payment plan directly with the facility or healthcare professional, or using a medical credit card such as CareCredit. If you’re considering loan options, it’s important to compare the interest rates and finance terms of the different offers to keep the amount you pay over the life of the loan as low as possible.