Deferiprone
About Deferiprone
Deferiprone is a medicine used to reduce excess iron in the body. Iron overload can develop in people who receive frequent blood transfusions, including people with thalassaemia and certain other blood disorders. Too much iron can gradually damage organs such as the heart and liver, so controlling iron levels is an important part of long-term treatment.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It can generally be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may help if you experience nausea or stomach discomfort.
Some people may experience nausea, stomach discomfort, joint pain, or reddish-brown urine. One of the most important risks is a severe reduction in neutrophils, which are white blood cells that help fight infection. Consult your doctor right away if you develop fever, sore throat, chills, mouth sores, or other signs of infection.
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have previously had low white blood cell counts, frequent infections, or liver or kidney problems. Regular blood tests are important during treatment to monitor your white blood cell count, iron levels, and other health measures.
Tell your doctor about all medicines, antacids, vitamins, minerals, and supplements you take. Also tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding, as this medicine may harm an unborn baby and may not be suitable during breastfeeding.
Uses of Deferiprone
Medicinal Benefits
Deferiprone helps lower excess iron levels and reduces the harmful effects of long-term iron accumulation.
- Protects organs from excess iron: Lowering iron levels helps reduce iron-related damage to organs such as the heart and liver.
- Supports long-term iron control: The treatment can help keep iron levels within the target range set by your healthcare team.
Directions for Use
- Take Deferiprone with food to prevent stomach upset.
- Recommended to take two or three times daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Deferiprone
Common Side Effects (Usually Mild)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach discomfort
- Joint pain
- Reddish-brown urine
- Changes in appetite
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Fever, sore throat, chills, mouth sores, or flu-like symptoms, which may indicate a serious reduction in infection-fighting white blood cells
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent upper abdominal pain, which may indicate a liver problem
- Severe or worsening joint pain or swelling
- Hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Attend blood tests regularly: Your white blood cell count must be monitored during treatment because deferiprone can cause severe neutropenia or agranulocytosis, meaning a dangerously low level of infection-fighting white blood cells.
- Watch for signs of infection: Stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you develop fever, sore throat, chills, mouth sores, or other signs of infection. Your blood cell count should be checked promptly.
- Monitor your iron levels: Regular iron assessments help your doctor determine whether treatment is working and whether your dose needs to be changed.
- Check antacids and mineral supplements: Products containing aluminium, iron, zinc, or other minerals may interact with deferiprone. Follow your doctor's instructions about how much time to leave between these products and your medicine.
- Expect possible urine colour changes: Reddish-brown urine can occur because iron bound to deferiprone is removed through the urine. Tell your doctor if the colour change is accompanied by pain, burning, or other urinary symptoms.
- Tell your doctor about liver problems: Liver function may need to be monitored during treatment.
- Avoid pregnancy during treatment: This medicine may harm an unborn baby. Use effective contraception as advised by your doctor during treatment and for the recommended period after your final dose.
- Discuss breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is generally not recommended during deferiprone treatment. Ask your doctor when it is safe to breastfeed after treatment has ended.
Drug Interactions
- Medicines that can lower white blood cell counts (e.g. clozapine, carbimazole, certain chemotherapy medicines): Taking these with deferiprone may increase the risk of a serious reduction in white blood cells. Your doctor will decide whether the combination is appropriate and what monitoring is required.
- Aluminium-containing antacids: Aluminium can bind to deferiprone and interfere with treatment. Take these products separately according to your doctor or pharmacist's instructions.
- Mineral supplements (e.g. iron or zinc): Deferiprone can bind to certain metals. These supplements should be separated from your dose according to the instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while taking Deferiprone as it may make the side effects worse.
Pregnancy
unsafeDeferiprone belongs to pregnancy category D. Do not take Deferiprone if you are pregnant as it may cause foetal harm.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not known if Deferiprone passes into breast milk. Avoid breastfeeding during treatment with Deferiprone and for two weeks after the last dose.
Driving
safe if prescribedDeferiprone is unlikely to affect your ability to drive. However, drive or operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
consult your doctorThe safety and efficacy of Deferiprone in patients with severe liver problems have not been established. Please consult the doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease consult the doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
consult your doctorThe safety and effectiveness of Deferiprone in children have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid unnecessary iron supplements: Do not take iron-containing supplements or multivitamins unless your doctor recommends them.
- Check supplements before using them: Ask your doctor before taking vitamin C or mineral supplements because they may affect iron management or interact with your treatment.
- Eat a balanced diet: Do not severely restrict iron-containing foods unless your doctor or dietitian specifically advises you to do so.
- Stay adequately hydrated: Drink enough fluids unless your doctor has advised you to limit your fluid intake.
- Attend regular monitoring: Keep appointments for blood tests and iron assessments so your doctor can check how well treatment is working.
Special Advise
- The doctor may advise regular blood tests to monitor blood count and iron load in the body.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Iron overload: Iron overload is a condition in which the body has too much iron. It usually occurs due to a condition known as hemochromatosis. Excess iron may poison organs and lead to conditions like cancer, liver cirrhosis, and irregular heartbeat. Symptoms may include general weakness, joint pain, fatigue, stomach pain, and weight loss.
FAQs
Deferiprone is used to remove excess iron from the body. It is used to treat iron overload caused by frequent blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia syndromes when current chelation therapy is inadequate.
Deferiprone works by attaching to iron in the body and facilitating its removal.
Deferiprone may cause reddish/brown discolouration of urine. Do not worry, as this is a very common side effect and is not harmful. However, if you have any concerns, talk to your doctor.
Maintain a gap of 4 hours between Deferiprone and mineral/vitamin supplements and antacids containing polyvalent cations like iron, aluminium, and zinc.
The common side effects of the Deferiprone are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, reddish/brown discoloration of urine, headache, diarrhoea. However, these symptoms vanish as your body adjusts to the medication. If these symptoms become worse, please consult a doctor for relief.
Deferiprone binds to excess iron, and much of this bound iron leaves your body through the urine. This can make your urine appear reddish-brown. Tell your doctor if you also have pain, burning, blood in the urine, or other unusual symptoms.
Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately. Fever, sore throat, chills, or mouth sores may indicate a serious reduction in infection-fighting white blood cells and require prompt blood testing.
Deferiprone may harm an unborn baby and should generally be avoided during pregnancy. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy.
There is no universal alcohol rule that applies to everyone taking deferiprone. However, alcohol can affect the liver, and liver function may need monitoring during treatment. Ask your doctor whether alcohol is appropriate for you, particularly if you have liver problems.
Do not severely restrict iron-containing foods unless your doctor or dietitian recommends it. The main concern is avoiding unnecessary iron supplements. A balanced diet is generally appropriate.
Yes. Deferiprone can generally be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may help if it causes nausea or stomach discomfort.
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