An 18-month-old boy is brought after swallowing several of his mother's ferrous sulphate tablets. He has repeated vomiting with hematemesis, drowsiness, and abdominal pain. Serum iron is 550 micrograms/dL. Which antidote should be given?
- A N-acetylcysteine
- B Calcium disodium edetate
- C Deferoxamine ✓
- D Dimercaprol
Correct answer: C. Deferoxamine
Explanation
Acute iron poisoning above 500 micrograms/dL with gastrointestinal bleeding and altered sensorium requires parenteral deferoxamine, which chelates ferric iron and is excreted renally, giving a classic vin-rose coloured urine. N-acetylcysteine is the antidote for paracetamol, edetate chelates lead, and dimercaprol is used for arsenic and mercury. Deferoxamine is specifically the iron-specific chelator and is safe in children.
Reference: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 16th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.