Deferiprone
Description
Deferiprone is used to treat an excessive accumulation of iron in the body due to multiple blood transfusions. It is also used for removing an excess of iron in the body that may be due to transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT). This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 2 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Deferiprone
- Chills
- Cough
- Fever
- Lower back or side pain
- Difficult or painful urination
- Shortness of breath
- Ulcer, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Pale skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain
Uses of Deferiprone
What is it prescribed for?
- Iron overload
- Transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT)
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time taken by this medicine to show its effects is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains effective in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine. You may be advised to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to deferiprone or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Neutropenia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with recurrent episodes of neutropenia (low count of a white blood cell type called neutrophils) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Agranulocytosis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with agranulocytosis (low count of white blood cells) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine. You may be advised to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 2 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Clinical monitoring
Your doctor may conduct regular tests to obtain the serum ferritin and liver iron concentration values during treatment with this medicine. These parameters play a crucial role in determining the dose regimen and therapy duration. You may also be asked to undergo other blood tests during the course of treatment with this medicine.
Renal impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from renal impairment due to the risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Neutropenia or Agranulocytosis
This medicine may cause neutropenia (low count of a white blood cell type called neutrophils) or agranulocytosis (low count of white blood cells) and hence not recommended for use in patients with neutropenia or agranulocytosis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. It is only used in some cases where the potential benefits outweigh potential risks. It is recommended to monitor the neutrophil count and white blood cell (WBC count) weekly while receiving this medicine. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Discoloration of urine
Use of this medicine may show a reddish or brown discoloration of urine due to the excretion of iron complex in the urine.
Use in elderly
This medicine should be used with caution in the elderly patients due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the patient's condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, then the missed dose can be skipped. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Dapsone
Carbamazepine
Cisplatin
Clozapine
Allopurinol
abemaciclib
Bleomycin
Chlorambucil
Disease interactions
Hepatic impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver impairment due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Report the use of multivitamins with minerals to the doctor. Coadministration of these medicines/supplements may decrease the desired effect of Deferiprone. Your doctor may advise maintaining a time gap of at least 4 hours between administration of these medicines to avoid the interaction. Appropriate dose adjustment or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. You may be asked to undergo certain tests on a regular basis before and during the course of treatment with this medicine. Report any undesired side effects to your doctor. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine combines with the iron in the body and the complex thus formed is excreted in the urine.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Iron chelating agents
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Ec.europa.eu. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
KELFER Capsules [Internet]. CiplaMed. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
Deferiprone - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 21 December 2018]. Available from:
Deferiprone: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 28 January 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 28 Jan 2019
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