Venofer for Iron Deficiency Anemia User Reviews

• JRK...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2023

"I have had 5 out of 8 Venofer 200mg infusions, over 1 hour, 2 times a week. Number 6 is today. I have had no side effects whatsoever. I suppose all of the side effects depend on the person. So far, the Venofer infusions have been fine and I am starting to feel the benefits. The mind is very powerful. If you read the symptoms before your first infusion, some people's minds will make them think they are having side effects when really they are not. Don't read through here thinking you're going to have negative side effects, and I bet you won't. Most of these comments are probably from people who already feel crappy to start with due to poor lifestyle and diet. Look forward to the end result and don't talk yourself into negative effects, which you most likely will not get. But also keep in mind your body is getting iron that you have gone without for years, so yes, you may feel your body adjusting to something it hasn't had for a long time."

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2019

"It was heaven! My red blood cells replicated away! As I can retain no iron as an absolute anemic, I need IV iron to keep making healthy red blood cells! About 6 visits to the hospital a year, a couple of hours each! Man, I could do cartwheels, I have so much energy!"

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2022

"I have had several iron infusions in the last 7 years. Today was the first time I had Venofer. I can tell you I never want this type of iron infusion again. As I was leaving, I felt light-headed, disoriented, and thought I was going to pass out. My BP before the infusion was 113/75. Right after the infusion, it was 125/85. When they wheeled me back after the dizzy feelings, it was 136/94. They had me stand up, and my BP did not register. I had turned ashen and started sweating. They sat me down and took my BP, which had dropped to 95/50. They gave me a fluid IV, and that helped. My finger joints started hurting, and my hands swelled up. The joint pain had continued up into my wrists and is now all over. I was able to drive home, but now I am crashed on the couch with diarrhea, cramping, joint pain, and shortness of breath. At the doctor's office, I was informed that they have had at least 3 other patients this week alone (today is only Tuesday) with adverse reactions to this specific drug."

• Lib...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2019

"Key with Venofer is to have them slow and wait between infusions. Too much at once will cause symptoms. I felt extremely faint and sick out of nowhere my first infusion when I had 200 mg over one hour. But now they do 200 mg over 2 hours instead, 2 weeks apart, and it is better, but I still feel pretty sick afterwards. Headaches, tiredness, anxiety, and GI issues for weeks after."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2021

"My experience with Venofer has been a nightmare. I was scheduled for 4 infusions over a course of 2 weeks. At the time the drug was administered, I did not experience any side effects. But as it got in my system, I have had joint pain, muscle pain, back pain, overall body pain. I'm in my mid-30s and feel like I have severe arthritis. My doctor has since prescribed a steroid, which has even worse side effects, so I really wish I never had taken this drug. I did not experience this in the past with infusions (Infed). Apparently, these are common side effects and it's been 4 weeks now, and I still struggle with these joint pains. When will they go away????"

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2022

"Side effects have changed my life. It’s been over 4 weeks post-infusion, and I can barely walk. Have side effects of a horrible taste in my mouth, ear pain, heart palpitations, to name a few. I used to train 8 miles a day, now I have trouble walking down the stairs most days. I even talked to a Venofer rep that must have seen my comments on the internet and called me unsolicited. She sounded like the manufacturer took no responsibility for side effects. Like, yeah, we know this can happen, but we can’t tell you why or when they will stop, it’s your doctor's problem. He has to figure it out with no guidance. I’ve seen at least 4 doctors, and no one can help. I didn’t have these symptoms before. My life has forever been altered, and no one can tell me by when it will get better. I wish I had met them. I understand people get side effects, but when will they stop? Not even the manufacturer of Venofer could tell me."

• Aut...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2019

"I had 1st of 5 Venofer Friday - 200 at a 1-hour drip. (My third course in 2 1/2 years.) Anemia-prone family. Genetic tests gave no answers. I don't eat meat. No problems with Venofer. I take 2 Benadryl before infusion and take 2 to 4 a day between infusions, which are 7 days apart. Refuse Injectafer, in my opinion, they seem to be having court cases. Keys for iron infusions: Pray... Then *Slow drip - Minimum 1 hour *Take only 200 each visit **Minimum 7 days between infusions *Take 2 Benadryl gel caps 30 minutes as soon as you sit down in the chair. Let's get some energy!!!! Blessings to all!"

• Sha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 30, 2022

"Had infusion back in Feb 2022, no issues. Benadryl was administered before treatment. My doc ordered another round late Oct before I was planning on having surgery. During my infusion this time, it was more and a 2 1/2 hour session. Almost near the end, my ankles were on fire. I had to rush and take my socks and shoes off, I was so scared. I had developed hives on my ankles. The nurse said she would give me a saline flush, and I took the Benadryl on my own at home because they stopped giving it out for Venofer. Later that day and the next night, I had a bad headache and muscle pain. 2 days later, I woke up to my hands and arms on fire and I couldn’t close them. It was the worst pain I had ever experienced. It was like an extreme burning sensation and cramp all at once. I was so scared and had to keep opening and closing my hands to get the feeling back into them. I pray that doesn’t happen again. Anyone experienced this?"

• Bub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2020

"Following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, experienced inability to absorb iron and B12. This created a mix of health problems which reduced my quality of life to a ridiculous level. Heart racing most of the time, shortness of breath, nerve problems affecting vision, speech, hand/finger control, inability to think clearly, regularly feeling incredibly cold, etc. Believe me, this is NOT the way to live! Symptoms improved dramatically once Venofer was used. TADA!"

• rol...
• January 8, 2011

"I have been getting iron treatments for a few years now. They have been long and drawn out, up until now. I used to have to get 3 treatments a week for 10-12 weeks, which meant my days were short and I couldn't do anything else. Then the iron would last for about 4-6 months, then my count would go back down to 6.9 or 7.1 and I would start all over again. My doctor tried Venofer this last time and I had 2 treatments, lasting 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours each, and I was done. Wow! What a difference. I just went for a check-up and my count was 11.7, and my treatment was in September. Normally, I'm preparing to start treatments again because my count would be down to 9 by now. I'm truly impressed with this treatment."

• sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2022

"Hematologist Rx'd 400 mg (2x what we discussed) for a 2.5 hr. infusion time. Among other things, I have MCAS, so am allergic (often deathly so) to random everything and am currently on 3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), so took my Venofer with a side of 500 ml of saline, dexamethasone, and an ondansetron push. NOPE. No reaction locally, like around my chest port, or anaphylaxis either. But within 30 minutes, I am the poster child for 'too much/too fast.' I stayed at my doc's infusion center for 5 hours trying to stop the burning, start the breathing, bend things, bring up the BP, lower the HR, increase the body temp, decrease the edema and erythema and jaundice. My partner had to carry me around and change my clothes for me. It has only been 18 hours since I got hooked up to that stuff, and I am still in tons of pain, look and feel like a bloated corpse, and am REALLY angry at my Dr. who refused to listen when I told him this med and I are incompatible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 24, 2016

"My experience with this drug was bad. I had my first iron infusion at 11 in the morning, and about 4 in the afternoon, I was in the ER. I had tremendous body aches and a headache; I was vomiting very violently (to mention only a few symptoms). At the ER, they did blood work and determined that my iron levels were five times the normal. I see in the other comments from other patients that their injection took them about 2 hours; mine took about 5 minutes."

• Iza...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2016

"I had five Venofer infusions, one every three weeks. I experienced no side effects. I was very tired after the infusions, but that's all. It took about five weeks to feel first results. I can climb the stairs now."

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2022

"Just began another set of Venofer infusions. Really love this treatment. Was feeling so much better after the first treatment; no more severe shortness of breath and getting achy arms and legs after hardly doing anything. I had no side effects from the Venofer."

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2021

"Today I had my first iron infusion, Venofer. 200 mg over 2 hours. Felt good until 4 hours later, I started feeling very cold, with very bad chills. My temp went up to 102.9°F. I went to bed trembling so bad I couldn’t stop shaking for more than 30 minutes. Felt so sick, nauseated, and very hot. Now, after 5 hours, my body temp went down to low 95. Feeling better… Personally, I don’t think I will get another treatment… Those side effects were very traumatic to me… I need to talk to my doctor about other alternatives."

• Bon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2022

"First dose of Venofer IV: strong black licorice/molasses flavor in mouth; other than that, feel the same. A few hours later, feeling very tired, lightheaded almost to the point of passing out (every time I move my body), weak, headache (not bad though), loss of appetite, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. 2nd dose, one week after initial dose: all the above symptoms only much more severe, except headache (small headache), and lasted three solid days. Worn out from walking down a short hallway. Primary care doctor said to wait a week to see how I feel. I also saw a hematologist about the above symptoms who advised getting a different iron infusion drug and ordered other tests. 3rd dose (2 weeks after the 2nd dose), administered same iron IV (long story): bloodwork showed slight improvement in hemoglobin count, but same symptoms! It’s the day after my IV, and I’ve been in bed. Movement makes me feel like I’m going to faint."

• Tea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2022

"I was scheduled for a 5-week infusion with Venofer. Each session only took an hour. During the infusion, I had no side effects. A week after my last infusion, I started to get pain in my arms, legs, and chest. The second week after my infusion, I had to go to the ER because the chest pain was so bad. The ER gave me a pain reliever and muscle relaxers. When I had infusions with Injectafer, I had no side effects. Never taking this again."

• tet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2018

"I got 200 mg 2x per week, total 3 200 mg doses over 10 days. By the 3rd dose, I had black urine! I told my Kaiser GI doc, and he stopped the infusions. It takes 2 weeks to turn the iron into RBC, so it should be 1x every 2 weeks. Otherwise, high iron levels will build up before iron is converted to hemoglobin. IMHO, this drug would be more safely administered at a maximum of 100 mg per infusion every 2 weeks using the pediatric instructions as follows: 'The dosing for iron replacement treatment in pediatric patients with HDD-CKD has not been established. For iron maintenance treatment: Administer Venofer at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, not to exceed 100 mg per dose, every two weeks for 12 weeks given undiluted by slow intravenous injection over 5 minutes or diluted in 25 mL of 0.9% NaCl and administered over 5 to 60 minutes.' 4 weeks after the 3 infusions, my blood was normal; Ferritin went from <6 to 35, hemoglobin went up just 15%."

• ANO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2023

"I had my iron infusion on Feb. 22, 2023. During the infusion, I was reading a book, and I became really sleepy, and my eyes were blurring, so I decided to sleep. At the end of my iron infusion, my back and stomach started to cramp badly. I was given a steroid and 25 mg of Benadryl. I was told to wait it out and see how I felt. Well, then I went to get up and leave, and my ankles were hurting. I looked down, and they were swollen, and the tops of my feet were discolored when I took off my socks. I lifted my pant legs up, and my calves looked like colored cellulite, they were all dimply, but not itching, although I was told it was hives. I was then given 25 mg more of Benadryl and sent to the ER. Since then, I have not felt like myself. I have had tingly feelings in my feet and legs a lot (mainly my left side). However, I also have a tingly feeling in my face on my left side too, and my left eye feels blurry a lot. I have feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and hand cramping. Please tell me this gets better!"

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

"This medication is terrible! An hour into the infusion, I felt like I was going to pass out. Felt nauseous, flushed face, dizzy, and felt like I had a minute to tell the nurse I was about to pass out. They stopped the infusion. The infusion was 2 weeks ago, and my blood pressure has been around 85/65 ever since. I feel so exhausted and tired. The doctor's clinic is aware and clueless. I refused this med, and because of the clinic's reaction, I lost trust in the practice. Please, if you’re reading, ask for a different infusion."

• Anonymous
• July 2, 2010

"I am 14 years old. I went in for a physical and had a routine blood panel. How did I get the results? An ambulance showed up at my house suddenly to take me to the hospital immediately. Apparently, my iron was 9, which is almost fatally low. I was given Venofer when I got there, and it helped tremendously. It quite possibly saved my life. I owe my life to Venofer."

• Sop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2023

"I had weekly, 100mg Venofer infusions for 6 weeks, 2 months ago. I couldn't believe the change it made. I was so thankful. Today I had a 300mg infusion and will have those every 3 months as long as my blood work shows I need it. I was unable to work or do much else but stay in bed until I started this treatment. Zero side effects. It's changed my life."

• tra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2023

"My iron was severely low. They started me on Venofer. 5 treatments every other day. My BP was normal before the treatments. I have no other health issues. After the treatments, my BP is high. I sure hope this levels out and my BP goes back to normal. Anyone else experience this?"

• tir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2023

"I just had my 3rd of 5 Venofer infusions today. That was 3 this week, and I'll have another two next week. After the 1st infusion, I felt really energetic all day, with no side effects. That feeling did not last, but I am already more energetic than I've been in months. After the 2nd infusion, still no side effects, but did not notice the same burst of energy. After this 3rd infusion today, I felt kind of lunk-headed (not a headache, but my head felt kind of heavy for a few hours until I napped). My doctor says my energy will continue to improve over the next few weeks. But I'm already impressed. I'm not out of breath anymore just from climbing the stairs or getting groceries. I stopped craving ice. I'm feeling less irritable with my family. Getting more of my daily chores done without getting a headache from exertion. Sleeping well. I just wish I had not waited so long to do this."

• Dai...
• March 21, 2023

"I just finished my last dose of Venofer. I had a total of 5 infusions at the hospital. I was fine after the first one, second, and then after the third, I felt dizzy and have been dizzy ever since. Almost like my equilibrium is off. I have also had horrible headaches too. My vision is a bit blurry at times too. I feel like it’s hard for me to have a drink of alcohol or wine too. I do believe it’s helped my energy level, but also at times I feel my heart racing since starting the drug. I also have had trouble falling asleep. I hope these will all pass soon as I’m now finished with the drug. Nothing happened during the infusions, it’s all been long delayed side effects."