An iron and aluminum chelator that increases the elimination of both metals from the body.Used over short periods to treat acute poisoning from these metals and, over longer periods, to treat chronic iron overload, hemochromatosis, hemosiderosis from repeated transfusions due to thalassemia major or other chronic anemias.Administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly and intravenously. At least three cases have been reported of mothers suffering from thalassemia major who were treated with deferoxamine and breast-fed without any problems for the infant or in the iron metabolism of the milk (Pafumi 2000, Surbek 1998). Its low percentage of protein binding makes its excretion in milk possible, but its practically zero oral bioavailability prevents its transfer to the infant’s plasma via ingested breast milk, except in premature babies and the immediate neonatal period in which there may be increased intestinal permeability. According to expert authors, the possible presence of deferoxamine in breast milk is unlikely to have harmful effects in the infant (Pafumi 2000, Jensen 1995) so there is no reason to stop breastfeeding during treatment. It may be advisable to control the infant’s serum iron levels.