Injectafer (ferric carboxymaltose) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for iron deficiency anemia in adults and some children. Injectafer comes as a liquid solution that’s given by a healthcare professional. The dosage can vary, depending on your body weight.
Injectafer is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adults and children ages 1 year and older who can’t tolerate oral iron or haven’t had an improvement in IDA after oral iron treatment
- IDA in adults with chronic kidney disease who aren’t dependent on dialysis
Injectafer belongs to a drug class called iron replacement products. Injectafer isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Injectafer, including its strength and how you’ll receive the medication. For a comprehensive look at Injectafer, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Injectafer provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Injectafer dosage that’s right for you.
Read below for recommended dosages of Injectafer and other details about the drug.
Injectafer form
Injectafer comes as a solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion or as a slow IV injection. It’s always given by a healthcare professional.
Injectafer strength
Injectafer comes in one strength of 50 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) of solution.
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing you a dosage based on your body weight.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly recommended in adults. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for iron deficiency anemia
Doctors may prescribe Injectafer to treat IDA.
If your doctor prescribes Injectafer for your IDA, your dosage is based on your body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dosage per kg is measured in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) and is calculated by your doctor.
If you weigh at least 50 kg, which is about 110 lb, the common dosage for IDA is 1,500 mg total. This is typically given as two 750-mg doses administered about 7 days apart.
If you weigh less than 50 kg, your dosage of Injectafer will be 15 mg/kg. So, if you weigh 48 kg, you’d multiply 15 mg by 48 kg for a total of 720 mg. You’d get two Injectafer doses of 720 mg each, for a total cumulative Injectafer dose of 1,440 mg.
The table below shows the typical dosage schedule based on body weight. Your doctor will choose a dose that suits your needs. Each dose is typically taken at least 7 days apart.
| Body weight | First dose of Injectafer | Second dose of Injectafer |
|---|---|---|
| at least 50 kg | 750 mg | 750 mg |
| less than 50 kg | 15 mg/kg | 15 mg/kg |
If your doctor prefers, Injectafer can also be given as a single dose treatment based on your body weight. The dosage would be 15 mg/kg to a maximum of 1000 mg administered as a single dose. For example, if you weigh 60 kg (about 130 lb), you’d multiply 15 mg by 60 kg for a dose of 900 mg administered once.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosage
Injectafer is approved to treat IDA in children ages 1 year and older.
The dosage is based on the child’s body weight in kg. One kg equals about 2.2 lb. The dosage per kg is measured in mg/kg and is calculated by your child’s doctor.
The table below lists the typical dosing schedule for children taking Injectafer. Your child’s doctor will choose a dose that suits their needs. Each dose is typically taken at least 7 days apart.
| Child’s body weight | First dose of Injectafer | Second dose of Injectafer |
|---|---|---|
| at least 50 kg | 750 mg | 750 mg |
| less than 50 kg | 15 mg/kg | 15 mg/kg |
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Injectafer is used short term for IDA. Doctors typically prescribe Injectafer as a one-time course given in two separate doses at least 7 days apart. If IDA reoccurs, you may need to receive additional Injectafer treatment.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Injectafer.
The Injectafer dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your body weight
- how your body responds to Injectafer
- side effects you may have with Injectafer
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Injectafer dosage.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you the IV injection of Injectafer. You’ll likely go to your doctor’s office, infusion center, or a hospital to receive your infusion. The infusion or injection typically takes less than 30 minutes. But you’ll likely need to allow some additional time for drug preparation and the monitoring of side effects.
General guidance
If you have questions about how you’ll receive Injectafer, talk with your doctor. There’s also information about what to expect at your infusion on the manufacturer’s website.
If you miss your appointment for an Injectafer infusion or injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.
If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Injectafer.
Is the dosage of Injectafer similar to the dosage of Venofer?
Yes, the forms of each drug are similar. Injectafer and Venofer (iron sucrose) are both liquid solutions given as an IV injection.
The frequency at which you receive each drug differs. Injectafer is typically given as two doses received at least 7 days apart. Venofer dosing varies and depends on the condition you’re being treated for.
The dose in mg for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Injectafer to start working?
Injectafer starts to work right away. You may notice an improvement in your symptoms related to IDA shortly after receiving Injectafer.
Your doctor will also monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your IDA. Your doctor will likely order a hemoglobin test. This test measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood. (Hemoglobin is a protein that’s found inside your red blood cells.)
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Injectafer treatment.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Injectafer for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Injectafer. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Injectafer: For information about other aspects of Injectafer, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about side effects of Injectafer, see this article.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.