Sign Out
Calculation of dosage: The total cumulative dose of Venofer, equivalent to the total iron deficit (mg), is determined by the haemoglobin level (Hb) and body weight (BW). The dose of Venofer must be individually calculated for each patient according to the total iron deficit calculated with the following Ganzoni formula, for example: (See equation.)
Click on icon to see table/diagram/imageTotal amount of Venofer to be administered according to body weight, actual Hb level and target Hb level*: (See Table 1.)
Click on icon to see table/diagram/imageTo convert Hb (mM) to Hb (g/dl), multiply the former by 1.6. If the total necessary dose exceeds the maximum allowed single dose, then the administration must be divided.
Calculation of dosage for iron replacement secondary to blood loss and to support autologous blood donation: The required Venofer dose to compensate for the iron deficit may be calculated according the following formulas: If the quantity of blood lost is known: The administration of 200 mg iron (10 ml of Venofer) should result in an increase in Hb approximately equivalent to 1 unit blood (400 ml with Hb=15 g/dl).
Iron to be replaced [mg] = Number of blood units lost x 200 mg or;
Amount of Venofer needed [ml] = Number of blood units lost x 10 ml.
If the Hb level is less than desired: Formula assumes that the storage iron does not need to be restored.
Iron to be replaced [mg] = BW [kg] x 2.4 (target Hb - actual Hb) [g/dl].
Example: For BW = 60 kg and Hb decrease = 1 g/dl.
⇒≅150 mg iron to be replaced; ⇒7.5 ml Venofer needed.
For the maximum tolerated single and weekly dose, see "Normal posology" and "Maximum tolerated single and weekly doses" as follows.
Normal posology: Adults: 5-10 ml of Venofer (100-200 mg iron) 1 to 3 times a week. For administration time and dilution ratio see "Method of administration" as follows.
Paediatric population: There is a moderate amount of data in children under study conditions. If there is a clinical need, it is recommended not to exceed 0.15 ml of Venofer (3 mg iron) per kg body weight not more than three times per week.
For administration time and dilution ratio see "Method of administration" as follows.
Maximum tolerated single and weekly doses: Adults: As an injection, maximum tolerated dose per day given not more than 3 times per week: 10 ml of Venofer (200 mg iron) injected over at least 10 minutes.
As an infusion, maximum tolerated dose per day given not more than once per week: Patients above 70 kg body weight: 500 mg iron (25 ml of Venofer) over at least 3½ hours;
Patients of 70 kg body weight and below: 7 mg iron/kg body weight over at least 3½ hours.
The infusion times given in "Method of administration" as follows should be strictly adhered to, even if the patient does not receive the maximum tolerated single dose.
Method of administration: Venofer must only be administered by the intravenous route. This may be by drip infusion, slow injection or directly into the venous line of the dialysis machine.
Intravenous drip infusion: Venofer must only be diluted in sterile 0.9% m/V sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. Dilution must take place immediately prior to infusion and the solution should be administered as follows: (See Table 2.)
Click on icon to see table/diagram/imageIntravenous injection: Venofer may be administered by slow intravenous injection at a rate of 1 ml undiluted solution per minute and not exceeding 10 ml (200 mg iron) per injection.
Injection into venous line of dialysis machine: Venofer may be administered during a haemodialysis session directly into the venous line of the dialysis machine under the same conditions as for intravenous injection.
