Deferiprone
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📖 Official Clinical Monograph
DGDA Approved Prescribing GuidelinesDefera is indicated for the treatment of iron overload patients with thalassemia major when deferoxamine therapy is contraindicated or inadequate. Defera therapy should be initiated and maintained by a physician experienced in the treatment of patients with thalassemia.
In adults and children over 6 years
: this medicine may be given by mouth in doses of 25mg/kg three times daily. Doses above 100mg/kg daily are not recommended. Or, as directed by the registered physician.
It is contraindicated for hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients.
Gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain are common during Defera treatment and may require temporary reduction in dose. A reddish brown discoloration of the urine is also common. Other adverse effects that have been reported include arthralgia and increased liver enzymes.
Defera has been shown to cause neutropenia including agranulocytosis. The patients neutrophil count should be monitored every week. Caution is advised in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.
Deferiprone is a chelating agent with an affinity for ferric ion (iron III). Deferiprone binds with ferric ions to form neutral 3:1 (deferiprone:iron) complexes that are stable over a wide range of pH values. Deferiprone has a lower binding affinity for other metals such as copper, aluminum and zinc than for iron.