What Are the Possible Side Effects of an Iron Infusion?
Some of the common but minor side effects of an iron infusion include gastrointestinal upset, burning or pain surrounding the injection site, muscle cramps, altered taste, and pain in the legs or arms, according to Mayo Clinic. These side effects don’t require medical attention unless they do not go away or are particularly upsetting.
Side effects of an iron infusion that should be reported to a medical professional immediately if they occur include tightness or pain in the chest, blurring vision, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or limbs, and unusual fatigue, states Mayo Clinic. Fever, confusion, dizziness, rapid or unusual changes in weight and tingling in the hands and feet are other side effects that should be reported to a doctor or nurse. A list of common reported side effects ranked by severity is available at MayoClinic.org.
Intravenous iron supplementation is most frequently used for patients diagnosed with iron-deficiency anemia who cannot take oral iron supplements and have not had success in treating their anemia with high-iron diets, reports Cleveland Clinic. Some of the conditions that can indicate a need for iron infusions include bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, disorders of the kidneys that require dialysis, inflammatory bowel syndrome and celiac disease.
