Thalassaemia                                           

What is thalassaemia?

Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder whereby the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin – the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough normal, healthy red blood cells, oxygen cannot reach all parts of the body and severe anemia occurs.

Complications resulting from thalassaemia

Some patients diagnosed with thalassaemia require regular blood transfusions to raise their hemoglobin blood levels. With each unit of blood transfused, an amount of iron is carried with hemoglobin, leading to iron build-up in the body’s tissue and organs – also referred to as iron overload. As iron can be toxic, too much of it can damage tissue. When excessive iron accumulates in the heart, liver, lungs, brain, and other organs, the risk of disease, and even life-threatening conditions, is high.

Treatment of thalassaemia with Desferal™

Thalassaemia patients experiencing iron overload resulting from frequent blood transfusions require an iron removal or chelation therapy. One medication approved for this is Desferal™. When using an infusion pump, Desferal™ is given over a 8-12 hour period, often overnight. The treatment can be performed daily, or 5-7 times a week.*

* According to Desferal™ Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) by Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.

Continuous subcutaneous infusion with Desferal™ and neria™ infusion sets

The patient uses an elastomeric pump or a battery-driven, syringe driver infusion pump to deliver a specified continuous amount of Desferal™ subcutaneously over a self-administered period.

The infusion sets should be changed with every treatment. The patient inserts an infusion set under the skin and connects it to the infusion pump.

neria™ infusion sets are tested (in vitro) for use with Desferal™.¹ The quality and careful design of neria™ infusion sets make them an excellent choice for patients treated with continuous Desferal™.

Clinical studies

Clinical studies showed that neria™ infusion sets helped minimize pain during insertion and reduced needle related traumas.^2,3

For complete clinical studies, please contact ConvaTec Infusion Care at info.infusion-set@unomedical.com.

For further information on thalasseamia, please see thalassaemia.org.cy