DEFERIPRONE

The U.S. FDA approved deferiprone for iron overload on 14 October 2011. Deferiprone is an iron chelator that removes excess iron from the body.

Deferiprone treats iron overload caused by frequent blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia major when current chelation therapy is insufficient or not recommended.

Take Deferiprone as your physician advises. Swallow the tablets whole and intact. This capsule should be taken with food. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop consuming the medicine if your doctor advises you to stop.

The most common side effects of Deferiprone are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, increased liver enzyme values, arthralgia, reddish or brown discoloration of urine, headache, diarrhea, tiredness, and increased appetite.

Do not consume Deferiprone if you are allergic to Deferiprone and its other ingredients. Do not take this medicine if you have a history of repeated episodes of neutropenia (low white blood cell count) or agranulocytosis (very low white blood cell count). Avoid using it if you are taking medications known to cause neutropenia or agranulocytosis; your physician monitors your blood parameters regularly to avoid neutropenia and agranulocytosis. Additionally, do not take Ferriprox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Notify your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding. Before starting to take Deferiprone, inform your doctor if you have been diagnosed with HIV or if you have severe liver or kidney impairment. Your doctor may recommend additional tests to assess your suitability for this medication and to monitor your condition closely during treatment. Use effective contraception during the treatment, six months after the last dose for women of childbearing potential and three months after the last dose for men.

Follow the dosage and administration instructions prescribed by your doctor. Before starting Deferiprone, inform your healthcare professional of any known allergies or existing medical conditions. Do not use this medicine if you are concurrently taking medications known to cause neutropenia or agranulocytosis; your doctor will monitor your blood parameters regularly to prevent these complications. Should you experience unexpected or severe side effects, including difficulty breathing or signs of allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention. Inform your healthcare professional of all other medications and supplements you are taking to prevent potential drug interactions. Address any treatment concerns with your doctor. Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets. Do not freeze. Store below 30°C. Verify the expiry date before use.

Chiesi Ltd, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Sept 2022] [Accessed on 21st July 2023], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.10908.pdf 2. Apotex Inc., US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Jul 2019] [Accessed on 21st July 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/021825s004lbl.pdf Michael J. Kosnett, Heavy Metal Intoxication & Chelators, Lange’s Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 14th Edition, 2018, 1020-1034. KD Tripathi, Chelating Agents, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th Edition, 2019, 964-967.