Deferoxamine mesylate is primarily used as an iron-chelating agent to treat acute iron overdose and chronic iron overload conditions, such as those resulting from repeated blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia or other anemias. It works by binding excess iron in the body, forming a complex that is then excreted through urine or feces, thereby reducing iron levels and preventing toxicity. Additionally, it is employed in cases of aluminum toxicity, particularly in patients with kidney failure undergoing dialysis. In diagnostic applications, deferoxamine mesylate is used in conjunction with imaging techniques to detect iron or aluminum deposits in tissues. Its ability to chelate metals also makes it useful in research settings for studying metal-related biological processes.