Deferiprone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Deferiprone?

What is deferiprone for?

Deferiprone is a drug commonly used to treat blood disorders due to thalassemia or too much iron in the body due to frequent blood transfusions. Blood transfusions can help people with blood disorders, but they can also carry too much iron in the body.

It is important to get rid of excess iron, because high levels of iron can cause health problems such as heart failure, liver disease and diabetes, as well as slow growth in children. Deferiprone can also be used if you have difficulty using iron-busting drugs or your iron levels remain high after using these drugs.

Deferiprone is a drug in the iron chelators class. Deferiprone works by attaching to iron and helps the body remove excess iron through urine.

How do I use deferiprone?

Take this medication with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times a day (morning, afternoon and evening). Taking this drug with food can help reduce nausea.

Take this medication 4 hours apart with a drug-binding product, as it can reduce the efficacy of the drug. Ask your pharmacist about other drugs you use. Some examples include antacids, vitamins / minerals (containing iron, aluminum, zinc).

Dosage is based on your medical condition, body weight and response to treatment (including laboratory test results). Treatment can be adjusted or stopped if you experience serious side effects. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

Take this medicine regularly to get optimal benefits. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day.

How do I store deferiprone?

Deferiprone is a drug that should be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Rules of Use Deferiprone

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the deferiprone dosage for adults?

The recommended starting dose for the drug deferiprone is 25 mg / kg, taken 3 times a day for a total of 75 mg / kg / day.

What is the dose of deferiprone for children?

There is no provision for the dose of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is deferiprone available?

The availability of the drug deferiprone is a 500 mg tablet.

Deferiprone dosage

What side effects can be experienced due to deferiprone?

The most common side effects of the drug deferiprone are:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Pain in the stomach and joints
• Weak and lethargic
• Headache

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Deferiprone side effects

What should be known before using deferiprone?

Some things to consider before taking deferiprone are:

• Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to Deferiprone or other medications. Ask the pharmacist or pay attention to the composition of the drug on the packaging label.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal products you are currently using or will be using. Make sure you inform diuretic drugs. Your doctor can change the dose of your medication or observe side effects on you.
• If you are taking antacids, multivitamins, iron and zinc supplements, take them 4 hours before or after you take Deferiprone.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking herbal products, especially milk thristle.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had a QT interval (a rare symptom of the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat, fainting or death), prolonged, slow heart rate, heart failure or heart problems, low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood. , or kidney or liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Is deferiprone safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category D according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States, or the equivalent of the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration Agency in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = Maybe risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Deferiprone Drug Warnings and Cautions

What medicines may interact with deferiprone?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Diclofenac
• Phenylbutazone
• Probenecid
• Silymarin

Can food or alcohol interact with deferiprone?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with deferiprone?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Blood or bone marrow disorders (agranulocytosis, anemia, neutropenia)
• History of heart rate disturbances (QT prolongation, slow heart rate)
• Liver disease
• Congestive heart failure
• Heart disease
• Hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood)
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels in the blood)
• Infection

Deferiprone Drug Interactions

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.