• Transfusional iron overload in patients with thalassemia syndromes.
• Transfusional iron overload in patients with sickle cell disease or other anemias.

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• OB: Pregnancy
• Lactation: Lactation.

Use Cautiously in:

• Pedi: Children <8 yr (safety and effectiveness not established).

CV: TORSADES DE POINTES.

GI: abdominal pain, nausea, ↑ liver enzymes, change in appetite, vomiting.

GU: chromaturia.

Hemat: AGRANULOCYTOSIS, neutropenia.

MS: arthralgia, arthropathy, back pain, extremity pain.

Neuro: headache.
Misc: ↓ zinc levels.

Drug-Drug:

• Concurrent use of other drugs that cause neutropenia/agranulocytosis may ↑ risk of neutropenia/agranulocytosis.
• May also chelate other concurrently administered polyvalent cations in mineral supplements and antacids, including iron, aluminum and zinc; wait 4 hr between administration.

(Generic available)

• Oral solution (bubble gum-flavor): 100 mg/mL;
• Tablets: 500 mg; 1000 mg (for twice daily administration); 1000 mg (for 3 times daily administration);

Twice Daily Regimen

• PO (Adults and Children ≥8 yr): 1000–mg tablet (for twice daily administration): 37.5 mg/kg (actual body weight) every 12 hr; may be adjusted up to 49.5 mg/kg (actual body weight) every 12 hr. Dose should be rounded to the nearest 1/2 tablet (500 mg).

Three Times Daily Regimen

• PO (Adults and Children ≥8 yr): 500–mg tablet, 1000–mg tablet (for 3 times daily administration), or oral solution: 25 mg/kg (actual body weight) 3 times daily; may be adjusted up to 33 mg/kg (actual body weight) 3 times daily. Dose should be rounded to the nearest 1/2 tablet or the nearest 2.5 mL.

Ferriprox

• Bonds with ferric ions to form neutral complexes which are then eliminated.

• Decrease in iron overload as reflected in decreased ferritin levels.

Therapeutic Classification: antidotes

Pharmacologic Classification: chelating agents

Absorption: Well absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed to extravascular tissues.

Metabolism/Excretion: Mostly metabolized (by UGT1A6 enzyme system), 75–90% excreted in urine as metabolites.

Half-life: 1.9 hr.

(blood levels)

• Instruct patient to take deferiprone as directed. Take missed doses as soon as remembered, but not just before next dose. Do not double doses. Advise patient to read Medication Guide before starting with each Rx refill in case of changes.
• Advise patient to stop therapy and notify health care professional immediately if signs and symptoms of infection (fever, sore throat) or if palpitations, dizziness, syncope, or seizures occur.
• Inform patient that reddish/brown urine may occur; common and not harmful.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult with health care professional before taking other medications. Instruct patient to allow at least 4 hrs between deferiprone and mineral supplements and antacids that contain iron, aluminum, or zinc.
• May cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy and for at least 6 mo after last dose and avoid breastfeeding during therapy and for at least 2 wk after last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during therapy and for at least 3 mo after last dose. If pregnancy is planned or suspected, notify health care professional promptly.

de-FER-ip-rone