Ferriprox

What is it?

An anti-poisoning, chelating agent available as capsule-shaped, white, film-coated tablets, all marked APO 500, containing 500mg of deferiprone.

Medical Uses

Overload of iron in thalassaemia (a genetic form of severe anaemia affecting people from the Mediterranean, Middle and Far East), where there is a failure to tolerate desferroxamine or this drug cannot be used.

Dosage

Adults and children, 25mg per kg of body weight 3 times each day to a maximum of 100mg per kg daily.

Special Care

Kidney or liver disorders, fibrosis of liver. Treatment must be under the supervision of a specialist in thalassaemia. Patients must report suspected infections; monitor neutrophil count(white blood cells) and zinc and ferritin levels in blood. Treatment should be stopped if neutropenia (abnormal decline in neutrophilswhite blood cells) occurs.

Avoid Use

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, previous neutropenia or agranulocytosis (abnormal, severe reduction in the number of granulocytes -white blood cells).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Vitamin C, metal salts, antacids with aluminium base.

Known Side Effects

Neutropenia, agranulocytosis, gastrointestinal disturbance, discoloured urine, raised ALT (alanine aminotransferase, an enzyme), joint disorders, increase in appetite. Any adverse side effects must be reportd to the Committee on the safety of Medicines (CSM).