Deferasirox

Antidote · Oral iron chelator

Indications

Treatment of chronic Fe overload due to blood transfusions (transfusional haemosiderosis).

Dosage

Adults and Children: Recommended starting daily dose: Initially 20 mg/kg once daily. Patients receiving >14 mL/ kg/mth of packed RBC (<4 u/mth), & for reduction of Fe overload 30 mg/kg. Patients receiving <7 mL/kg/mth of packed RBC (<2 u/mth), & for maintenance of Fe level 10 mg/kg. For patients well managed on treatment with deferoxamine. See literature.

Adverse Effects

Most common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, rash, non-progressive increase in serum creatinine, increased transaminases, abdominal distension, constipation, dyspepsia, proteinuria, headache. Uncommon (potentially serious): Severe skin rash, maculopathy, hepatitis; high frequency hearing loss, early cataracts.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Precautions: Monitor serum creatinine. Dose reduction may be noted in some cases of non-progressive increase in serum creatinine. Monitor serum transaminase monthly: Renal & hepatic impairment. Interrupt therapy if severe rash develops. Perform ophthalmological, audiological testing annually. Pregnancy & lactation. Not to be combined with other Fe chelator therapy. Not recommended in rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, severe lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Interactions

Aluminium containing antacids.

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism: Hepatic. Bioavailability: 70%. Half-life elimination: 8-16 hrs. Time to peak: 1.5-4 hrs. Excretion: Faeces (84%). Urine (8%).

Brands with this active ingredient

• Arefed
• Asunra
• Dasirox
• Defarox
• Desirox
• Efesir
• Himrox
• Murwi
• Oderox
• Oleptiss
• Revosirox
• Roxwin
• Xefra

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.