Drug Action
Deferiprone is an oral iron chelator.
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Drug reference
Deferiprone is an oral iron chelator.
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Treatment of iron overload in patients with thalassaemia major in whom desferrioxamine is contra-indicated or is inadequate ▶BY MOUTH ▶Adult: 25 mg/kg 3 times a day; maximum 100 mg/kg per day
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History of agranulocytosis or recurrent neutropenia
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→Appendix 1: iron chelators
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▶Common or very common Abdominal pain (reducing dose and increasing gradually may improve tolerance). agranulocytosis. appetite increased. arthralgia. diarrhoea (reducing dose and increasing gradually may improve tolerance). fatigue. headache. nausea (reducing dose and increasing gradually may improve tolerance). neutropenia . urine discolouration. vomiting (reducing dose and increasing gradually may improve tolerance) ▶Frequency not known Skin reactions. zinc deficiency
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Manufacturer advises avoid before intended conception—teratogenic and embryotoxic in animal studies. Contraception advised in females of child-bearing potential.
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Manufacturer advises avoid during pregnancy—teratogenic and embryotoxic in animal studies.
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Manufacturer advises avoid—no information available.
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Manufacturer advises caution (no information available)—monitor hepatic function and consider interrupting treatment if persistent elevation in serum alanine aminotransferase. Manufacturer advises caution in patients with hepatitis C (ensure iron chelation is optimal)—monitor liver histology.
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Manufacturer advises caution—no information available. Blood and nutrition
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▶Monitor neutrophil count weekly and discontinue treatment if neutropenia develops. ▶Monitor plasma-zinc concentration.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: capsule, oral suspension, oral solution Oral solution CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 14 ▶Ferriprox (Apotex B.V.) Deferiprone 100 mg per 1 ml Ferriprox 100mg/ml oral solution sugar-free | 500 ml P £152.39 DT = £152.39 Tablet CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 14 ▶Deferiprone (Non-proprietary) Deferiprone 500 mg Deferiprone 500mg tablets | 100 tablet P £130.00 DT = £152.39 ▶Ferriprox (Apotex B.V.) Deferiprone 500 mg Ferriprox 500mg tablets | 100 tablet P £152.39 DT = £152.39 Deferiprone 1 gram Ferriprox 1000mg tablets | 50 tablet P £175.25 DT = £175.25
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Blood disorders Patients or their carers should be told how to recognise signs of neutropenia and advised to seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever or sore throat develop.
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25 mg/kg 3 times a day; maximum 100 mg/kg per
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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