What is Triferic Avnu?

Triferic Avnu is the first and only medication approved by Health Canada for the replacement of iron in managing normal levels of hemoglobin in adults with hemodialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease.

Let’s understand more about the medication, including its uses, side effects, and precautions to be followed.

What is Triferic Avnu used for?

What are the approved label uses for Triferic Avnu?

Triferic Avnu or Ferric pyrophosphate citrate injection is a prescription drug. 

It is an iron supplement to maintain hemoglobin in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are on dialysis. 

What are some off-label uses of Triferic Avnu?

There is no off-label use of the medicine so far.

It may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How to use Triferic Avnu?

• Triferic Avnu is available as an ampule intended for single use.
• The recommended dosage of Triferic Avnu is 6.75 mg iron (III) undiluted as a slow intravenous infusion over 3 to 4 hours via pre-dialyzer infusion line, post-dialyzer infusion line or via a separate connection to venous bloodline during hemodialysis. Each ml of Triferic Avnu injection for intravenous administration contains 1.5 mg iron as iron (III). 
• Triferic Avnu will be administered at each dialysis procedure for as long as patients are on maintenance hemodialysis therapy for CKD. 

Follow your physician instructions about restrictions on food, beverages or activity.  

What are the side effects of Triferic Avnu?

Like all the medications, Triferic Avnu also has side effects. It is possible that you may experience the following side effects. Inform your physician if these symptoms are severe or if they do not do away;

• Fever
• Pain or burning while you urinate
• Bleeding around dialysis vein access point
• Swelling in arms or legs or fingers
• Unusual bleeding
• Unusual bruising 
• Coughing up blood
• A light-headed feeling, like you might faint
• Blue-colored skin

Some of the common side effects that you might experience are as follows;

• Headache 
• Dizziness
• Muscle pain 
• Weakness
• Tiredness
• Swelling in hands or feet
• Pain in hand, legs or back
• Feeling short of breath 
• Urinary tract infection

Get emergency help if you have any signs of allergic reaction. The following are signs of allergic reactions;

• Difficulty in breathing 
• Swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat 
• Hives
• Feeling light-headed

The above-mentioned side effects are not a complete list. If you experience serious side effects or symptoms that are persistent, please contact your doctor immediately.

How to store and dispose of Triferic Avnu?

• Store the ampules between 20°to 25°C.
• Protect it from light in the aluminium pouch.
• Do not freeze.

What are the ingredients of Triferic Avnu?

It contains iron in the form of ferric pyrophosphate citrate. Iron binds to a protein (transferrin) that allows it to enter hemoglobin.

Triferic Avnu thus improves hemoglobin levels in patients with hemodialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease.

What are the most important contraindications of Triferic Avnu?

Inform your healthcare provider in case of an allergy to Triferic Avnu or any other medication or any of the iron products. 

Do not take or inform your doctor if you have or had following conditions;

• Liver diseases
• High blood pressure
• Triferic Avnu is not intended for patients who are on home dialysis or peritoneal dialysis 

Besides, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to be pregnant. Call your doctor immediately if you get pregnant while you are on Triferic Avnu. Use effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy during the treatment with the medication and at least two weeks after your last dose. Please consult your physician to know the best birth control method for yourself. 

Triferic Avnu may harm your baby, so do not breastfeed your baby while you are on treatment. Ask your doctor about the risks. 

What are some important warnings and precautions of Triferic Avnu?

Inform your health worker about other prescription and non-prescription medications that you are taking. Also, inform about vitamins, herbal and nutritional supplements that you are taking or planning to take. 

Triferic Avnu may interact with any of the following medications or inform your doctor if you are taking any of the below-mentioned medication:

• Aripiprazole
• Activated charcoal
• Fluticasone
• Salmeterol 
• Zolpidem 
• Copper gluconate 
• Vitamin (B12)
• Rosuvastatin 
• Retinol 
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D3
• Vitamin K
• Heparin
• Metoclopramide 
• Sotalol

The list is not comprehensive, and other drugs may interact with Triferic Avnu. You should mention all the medications that you are taking and consult your doctor before starting any medicine.  

How To Use Triferic Avnu?

Your healthcare professional will administer Triferic Avnu at each dialysis.

Is Triferic Avnu Risky?

The medicine is usually safe to use in most people. However, it may cause some side effects such as dizziness, weakness, headache, muscle pain, and tiredness.

Is There A Generic Version of Triferic Avnu?

No. For now, there is no therapeutically equivalent version of Triferic Avnu available in Canada.

How Is Triferic Avnu Different from Others In The Treatment Of Ailment?

Triferic Avnu is the first and only medication approved by Health Canada for the replacement of iron to manage normal levels of hemoglobin in adults with hemodialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease.

Who Makes Triferic Avnu and What Is Their Manufacturing Record of Success?

Rockwell Medical, a biopharmaceutical company, has come up with Triferic Avnu. The company is well known for its products to treat iron deficiency anemia. They aim to improve the lives of people of severely ill patients with the condition.