Subcutaneous drugs intravenous infusion rate

For chronic iron intoxication e.g., thalassemia), an intramuscular dose of 0.5-1.0 g/day is recommended, although continuous subcutaneous administration (1-2 g/day) is almost as effective as intravenous administration. When blood is being transfused to patients with thalassemia, 2 g deferoxamine (per unit of blood) should be given by slow intravenous infusion (rate not to exceed 15 mg/kg/h) during the transfusion but not by the same intravenous fine. Deferoxamine is not recommended in primary hemochromatosis phlebotomy is the treatment of choice. Deferoxamine also has been used for the chelation of aluminum in dialysis patients. Deferoxamine is metabohzed principally by plasma enzymes, but the pathways have not been defined. The drug also is excreted readily in the urine. 

Almost 30 routes exist for administration of drugs to patients, but only a handfbl of these are commonly used in preclinical safety studies (Gad, 1994). The most common deviation from what is to be done in clinical trials is the use of parenteral (injected) routes such as IV (intravenous) and SC (subcutaneous) deliveries. Such injections are loosely characterized as bolus (all at once or over a very short period, such as five minutes) and infusion (over a protracted period of hours, days, or even months). The term continuous infusion implies a steady rate over a protracted period, requiring some form of setup such as an implanted venous catheter or infusion port. 

I11 the therapy of deep venous thrombosis, heparin is commonly administered. This drug takes effect immediately to prevent further thrombus formation. However, heparin is regarded as a hazardous drug and possibly may be tlie leading cause of drug-related deaths 111 hospitalized patients who are relatively well. Usually administered intravenously, preferably by pump-dnven infusion at a constant rate rather than by intermittent injections, it sometimes may cause major bleeding, which is particularly hazardous if it is intracranial. The action of heparin can be terminated almost immediately by intravenous injection of protamine sulfate, but where there may be less urgency, vitamin Ki may be used. The vitamin preparation may be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. 

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