Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Hemochromatosis


These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

Hemochromatosis
Question: We have heard that a drug called Kelfer that is used in India for the treatment of iron overload conditions. Is there any information available in the United States on this?

Answer: I would be happy to research this drug if I knew the manufacturer. Currently, treatment of hemochromatosis in the United States is regular blood phlebotomy to lower iron levels. There are several chelating agents used in the treatment of heavy metal poisoning and would probably be effective in severe cases, however, are generally not used here. This is because phlebotomy is safer and cheaper than chelating agents such as deferoxamine.

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Last modified August 6, 1997