About defe ripro ne
Iron chelator
Used for
- Treats iron overload in people receiving frequent blood transfusions, including those with thalassemia.
Usual adult dose
Usually 75 mg/kg by mouth twice daily with food; the prescriber adjusts the dose using iron tests.
Usual dose in children
Usually 75 mg/kg by mouth twice daily with food for children aged 8 years and older; specialist supervision is required.
Common side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea
- Joint pain
- Increased liver enzymes
- Low white blood cell counts, which can cause serious infection
Important warnings
- Regular blood tests are essential to check white blood cells, liver function, and iron levels.
- Stop treatment and seek urgent medical assessment for fever or infection symptoms.
- Can cause liver injury; report yellow skin, dark urine, or unusual tiredness.
- Not for iron overload caused by conditions other than transfusion-dependent anemia.
Pregnancy
May harm an unborn baby. Avoid during pregnancy; reliable contraception is recommended during treatment.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment because of potential harm to the infant.
Interactions
- Antacids containing aluminum may affect treatment.
- Avoid medicines that can lower white blood cells unless specifically approved by the prescriber.
- Deferiprone may affect laboratory tests measuring zinc.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.