Ferinject in Pregnancy
Date issued: March 2025
For review: March 2027
Ref: F-73/SS/Early Pregnancy/Ferinject in Pregnancy
PDF: Ferinject in pregnancy.pdf [pdf] 160KB
Ferinject is special type of iron preparation given through a drip (into a vein, also described as an infusion). Ferinject is sometimes used instead of iron tablets
Some of the reasons for needing Ferinject are:
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Blood tests show you are anaemic and this has not responded to oral iron tablets or the iron tablets have made you feel unwell.
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You have significant anaemia after the birth of your baby but are otherwise feeling well.
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You decided not to have a blood transfusion, for example if you are a Jehovah’s Witness.
You may be asked to have further blood tests to ensure that ferinject is the correct option for your anaemia. Based on these results your doctor may suggest Ferinject and then this will be discussed with you so that you can decide whether you agree to the treatment.
Using Ferinject instead of blood
Ferinject is not a blood product. Although blood transfusion is safe, there are some risks, including a tiny risk of infection. Ferinject does not have the risks of blood transfusion
Safety of Ferinject
Ferinject is considered safe to use after the first trimester (three months) of pregnancy and after delivery.
Rarely (in less than 1% of cases) it can cause allergic reactions. You will therefore be monitored closely before, during and after the infusion.
A rare but significant complication of Ferinject is permanent skin staining or discoloration, which can occur if some of the drug leaks outside the vein during the infusion.
To reduce the risk, a flush of water or saline (salt solution) is given by the venflon (the “drip”) into your vein before the Ferinject. We also recommend that you do not bend your arm or use it during the infusion to reduce the possibility of this occurring.
Please let the midwife know immediately if you experience any pain or burning in the arm during the infusion
Very little Ferinject crosses into breast milk so you can safely breastfeed.
Side effects
Potential mild side effects occur in 1 to 10% of patients, including headache, dizziness, rash, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, diarrhoea, constipation, abnormal liver function, flushing, low or high blood pressure and injection site reactions.
Receiving Ferinject
Ferinject is usually given within the Women Day Services department but on occasions it may be given on labour ward or the antenatal/ postnatal ward.
When you arrive, the midwife will take your pulse, blood pressure and temperature. Next a venflon will be sited in your arm and we will start the Ferinject infusion. This usually takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Remember to inform the midwife if there is any pain or burning in the arm during the infusion. The drip will be stopped immediately, and we may then need to put the venflon in another place before we continue with the ferinject.
You can usually go home straight after the Ferinject has finished, unless you feel unwell.
If you are still pregnant, it is possible that you may need one more Ferinject dose but you will be informed if you need to attend again.
If you have already given birth, you will advised need to take oral iron tablets for about 3 months.
Oral iron tablets
You must not take oral iron tablets while you are having Ferinject and you should not restart taking the iron tablets until 5-7 days after the Ferinject infusion.
Suitability of Ferinject
You should not have Ferinject if you:
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Have anaemia caused by deficiencies other than iron deficiency (for example B12 deficiency).
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Have ever been told by a doctor that you have “iron overload”.
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Have ever had an allergic reaction to iron given to you through a drip.
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Have ever had a problem with your liver, such as liver cirrhosis or hepatitis.
Further information
If you have any questions after reading this leaflet, please let your midwife or doctor know. They will be happy to discuss them with you.
