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Indications/Uses
Ferriprox is used in the treatment of iron overload in patients with thalassaemia for whom desferroxamine is unsuitable.
Dosage/Direction for Use
Deferiprone is given as 25 mg/kg body weight, oral use, three times a day for a total daily dose of 75 mg/kg body weight, or as prescribed by the physician.
It is important to follow the directions given by the doctor. The amount of deferiprone to take will depend on patient's weight. Ferriprox is usually prescribed to be taken three (3) times per day. Take the first dose in the morning. Take the second dose midday. Take the third dose in the evening. It is not necessary to take Ferriprox with food. However, patient may find it easier to remember to take the medication, if taken with meals. Ferriprox will be most effective if patient does not miss any doses. If one dose is missed take it as soon as remembered and take the next dose at its regularly scheduled time. If patient misses more than one dose, do not take the missed tablets, just continue with the normal schedule. Do not change the daily dose without first consulting with the doctor.
There are no reports of overdose with deferiprone.
It is important to follow the directions given by the doctor. The amount of deferiprone to take will depend on patient's weight. Ferriprox is usually prescribed to be taken three (3) times per day. Take the first dose in the morning. Take the second dose midday. Take the third dose in the evening. It is not necessary to take Ferriprox with food. However, patient may find it easier to remember to take the medication, if taken with meals. Ferriprox will be most effective if patient does not miss any doses. If one dose is missed take it as soon as remembered and take the next dose at its regularly scheduled time. If patient misses more than one dose, do not take the missed tablets, just continue with the normal schedule. Do not change the daily dose without first consulting with the doctor.
There are no reports of overdose with deferiprone.
Administration
May be taken with or without food: Take 1st dose in the morning, 2nd dose at midday, 3rd dose in the evening. Preferably taken w/ meals to easily remember taking the medication.
Contraindications
Ferriprox should not be taken if: Patient has a history of hypersensitivity (an allergy) to the active substance or any of the other ingredients (see Description); patient has a history of repeated episodes of neutropenia (low white blood cell count); patient has a history of agranulocytosis (very low white blood cell count <0.5 x 109/L); patient is currently taking medication known to cause neutropenia; patient is pregnant or breast-feeding.
The way deferiprone causes neutropenia is not known. Patients should not take medicinal products known to be associated with neutropenia or those which can cause agranulocytosis.
The way deferiprone causes neutropenia is not known. Patients should not take medicinal products known to be associated with neutropenia or those which can cause agranulocytosis.
Special Precautions
The most serious undesirable effect of deferiprone is the occurrence of a very low white blood cell count. This condition, known as severe neutropenia or agranulocytosis, has occurred in about 1 out of 100 patients who have taken deferiprone in clinical studies. Because white blood cells help to fight infection, a low white blood cell count may place the patient at risk to develop a serious infection. If an infection of this nature is not discovered and treated early, it could cause death. The doctor will ask the patient to have a blood test (to check the white blood cell count) performed regularly, as frequently as every week. It is very important to keep all of these appointments. Report immediately to the doctor any symptoms of infection such as: fever, sore throat of flu-like symptoms. The doctor will also ask the patient to come in for tests to monitor body iron load. In addition, the doctor also might ask the patient to undergo liver biopsies.
Patients with iron overload are at increased risk of cancer. In these circumstances, the impact of deferiprone is not known.
The positive and negative effects of iron chelation can only be demonstrated after many years. Therefore, further studies are ongoing. In addition, cancer-predicting studies are underway.
Effects on the Ability to Drive and Use Machines: There is no evidence that Ferriprox affects the ability to drive or use machinery.
Patients with iron overload are at increased risk of cancer. In these circumstances, the impact of deferiprone is not known.
The positive and negative effects of iron chelation can only be demonstrated after many years. Therefore, further studies are ongoing. In addition, cancer-predicting studies are underway.
Effects on the Ability to Drive and Use Machines: There is no evidence that Ferriprox affects the ability to drive or use machinery.
Use In Pregnancy & Lactation
Patient should not take this medication if breast-feeding, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant. This medication can seriously harm the baby. Patient must use effective contraception while taking Ferriprox. Ask the doctor which method is best for the patient. If patient becomes pregnant while taking Ferriprox, stop taking the medicine immediately and tell the doctor.
Adverse Reactions
Like all medicines, deferiprone can have side effects.
Some of the patients enrolled in clinical studies with deferiprone developed joint pain and swelling. In most patients, the pain disappeared while still taking Ferriprox.
Some patients treated with Ferriprox have experienced some or all of the following symptoms: increase in liver enzymes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and increase in appetite. Most patients find that these undesirable effects disappear after a few days to a few weeks of continued treatment. If patient experiences nausea or vomiting, it may help to take Ferriprox with some food.
Urine may become reddish/brown in colour. This is the most common undesirable effect of deferiprone and it is not harmful.
Some of the patients enrolled in clinical studies with deferiprone developed joint pain and swelling. In most patients, the pain disappeared while still taking Ferriprox.
Some patients treated with Ferriprox have experienced some or all of the following symptoms: increase in liver enzymes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and increase in appetite. Most patients find that these undesirable effects disappear after a few days to a few weeks of continued treatment. If patient experiences nausea or vomiting, it may help to take Ferriprox with some food.
Urine may become reddish/brown in colour. This is the most common undesirable effect of deferiprone and it is not harmful.
Storage
Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°C.
MedsGo Class
Antidotes & Detoxifying Agents
Features
Dosage
500 mg
Ingredients
- Deferiprone
Packaging
Film-Coated Tablet 1's
Generic Name
Deferiprone
Registration Number
DR-XY30458
Classification
Prescription Drug (RX)
Product Questions
Questions
