Deferasirox: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Deferasirox is an iron chelator sold in the U.S. under 4 brand and generic names, for iron overload. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Iron Chelator
- Treats (across its forms)
- Iron Overload
- Available as
- Powder · Tablet
- Sold as
- 4 products — Deferasirox, Exjade and Jadenu, and others
- Prescription?
- Prescription only
- Generic available?
- Yes
- Half-life
- about 8 to 16 hours (the label gives a mean elimination half-life range, not a single number)
- What the pharmacy pays
- about $38 for a 30-count supply — not your price
- Boxed warning
- Boxed warning
How Exjade is dosed
From the FDA label for Exjade (application NDA021882). Other deferasirox products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Transfusional Iron Overload: Initial dose for patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 is 20 mg per kg body weight once daily, as oral suspension. Calculate dose to the nearest whole tablet. ( 2.1 ) NTDT Syndromes: Initial dose for patients with eGFR greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 is 10 mg per kg body weight once daily, as oral suspension. Calculate dose to the nearest whole tablet. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Transfusional Iron Overload Exjade therapy should only be considered when a patient has evidence of chronic transfusional iron overload. The evidence should include the transfusion of at least 100 mL/kg of packed red blood cells (e.g., at least 20 units of packed red blood cells for a 40 kg person or more in individuals weighing more than 40 kg), and a serum ferritin consistently greater than 1,000 mcg/L. Prior to starting therapy or increasing dose, evaluate: Serum ferritin level Baseline renal function: Obtain serum creatinine in duplicate (due to variations in measurements) to establish accurate baseline Calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Use a prediction equation appropriate for adult patients (e.g., CKD-EPI, MDRD method) and in pediatric patients (e.g., Schwartz equations). Obtain urinalyses and serum electrolytes to evaluate renal tubular function [see Dosage and Administration (2.4), Warnings and…
Everything below is the FDA label for Exjade (tablet). Deferasirox is also sold as powder, and those are different medicines to take — follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Exjade side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are also discussed in other sections of the labeling: Acute Kidney Injury, Including Acute Renal Failure Requiring Dialysis, and Renal Tubular Toxicity Including Fanconi Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.6)] Hepatic Toxicity and Failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.6)] GI Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Bone Marrow Suppression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] Severe Skin Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] Skin Rash [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)] Auditory and Ocular Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)] In patients with transfusional iron overload, the most frequently occurring (greater than 5%) adverse reactions are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, skin rashes, and increases in serum creatinine. In Exjade-treated patients with NTDT syndromes, the most frequently occurring (greater than 5%) adverse reactions are diarrhea, rash, and nausea. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at 1-888-669-6682 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly…
Who shouldn’t take Exjade
Exjade is contraindicated in patients with: Estimated GFR less than 40 mL/min/1.73 m 2 [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] ; Poor performance status; [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3)] High-risk myelodysplastic syndromes; (this patient population was not studied and is not expected to benefit from chelation therapy) Advanced malignancies. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3)] Platelet counts less than 50 x 10 9 /L [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3, 5.4) Known hypersensitivity to deferasirox or any component of Exjade [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7), Adverse Reactions (6.2)] . Estimated GFR less than 40 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . ( 4 ) Patients with poor performance status. ( 4 ) Patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). ( 4 ) Patients with advanced malignancies. ( 4 ) Patients with platelet counts less than 50 x 10 9 /L. ( 4 ) Known hypersensitivity to deferasirox or any component of Exjade. ( 4 )
Exjade drug interactions
Do not take Exjade with aluminum-containing antacid preparations. ( 7.1 ) Exjade increases the exposure of the CYP2C8 substrate repaglinide. Consider repaglinide dose reduction and monitor blood glucose levels. ( 7.3 ) Avoid the use of Exjade with CYP1A2 substrate theophylline. ( 7.4 ) Deferasirox increases exposure of busulfan. Monitor plasma concentrations of busulfan when coadministered with deferasirox to allow dose adjustment of busulfan as needed. ( 7.7 ) 7.1 Aluminum-Containing Antacid Preparations The concomitant administration of Exjade and aluminum-containing antacid preparations has not been formally studied. Although deferasirox has a lower affinity for aluminum than for iron, do not take Exjade with aluminum-containing antacid preparations due to the mechanism of action of Exjade. 7.2 Agents Metabolized by CYP3A4 Deferasirox may induce CYP3A4 resulting in a decrease in CYP3A4 substrate concentration when these drugs are coadministered. Closely monitor patients for signs of reduced effectiveness when deferasirox is administered with drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 (e.g., alfentanil, aprepitant, budesonide, buspirone, conivaptan, cyclosporine, darifenacin, darunavir, dasatinib, dihydroergotamine, dronedarone, eletriptan, eplerenone, ergotamine, everolimus, felodipine, fentanyl, hormonal contraceptive agents, indinavir, fluticasone, lopinavir, lovastatin, lurasidone, maraviroc, midazolam, nisoldipine, pimozide, quetiapine, quinidine, saquinavir, sildenafil, simvastatin, sirolimus, tacrolimus, tolvaptan, tipranavir, triazolam, ticagrelor, and vardenafil) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . 7.3 Agents Metabolized by CYP2C8 Deferasirox inhibits CYP2C8 resulting in an increase in CYP2C8 substrate (e.g., repaglinide and paclitaxel) concentration when these drugs are coadministered. If Exjade and repaglinide are used concomitantly, consider decreasing the dose of repaglinide and perform careful monitoring of blood glucose levels. Closely monitor patients for signs of exposure related toxicity when Exjade is coadministered with other CYP2C8 substrates [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. 7.4 Agents Metabolized by CYP1A2 Deferasirox inhibits CYP1A2 resulting in an increase in CYP1A2 substrate (e.g., alosetron, caffeine, duloxetine, melatonin, ramelteon, tacrine, theophylline, tizanidine) concentration when these drugs are coadministered. An increase in theophylline plasma concentrations could lead to clinically significant theophylline-induced CNS or other adverse reactions. Avoid the concomitant use of theophylline or other CYP1A2 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., tizanidine) with Exjade. Monitor theophylline concentrations and consider theophylline dose modification if you must coadminister theophylline with Exjade. Closely monitor patients for signs of exposure related toxicity when Exjade is coadministered with other drugs metabolized by CYP1A2 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. 7.5 Agents Inducing UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) Metabolism Deferasirox is a substrate of UGT1A1 and to a lesser extent UGT1A3. The concomitant use of Exjade with potent UGT inducers (e.g., rifampicin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, ritonavir) may result in a decrease in Exjade efficacy due to a possible decrease in deferasirox concentration. Avoid the concomitant use of potent UGT inducers with Exjade. Consider increasing the initial dose of Exjade if you must coadminister these agents together [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . 7.6 Bile Acid Sequestrants Avoid the concomitant use of bile acid sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol) with Exjade due to a possible decrease in deferasirox concentration. If you must coadminister these agents together, consider increasing the initial dose of Exjade [see Dosage and Administration (2.5), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] . 7.7 Busulfan Increased exposure of busulfan was observed with concomitant use with deferasirox. Monitor plasma concentrations of busulfan when coadministered with deferasirox to allow dose adjustment of busulfan as needed [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Every deferasirox product we track (4)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Powder | Generic | $38 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $38 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Powder | Generic | $38 | View → | |
| 4 | 70/100 | Prescription | Powder | Generic | $38 | View → |
What deferasirox pills look like
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
How long deferasirox keeps
No deferasirox label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Does deferasirox expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsDeferasirox and breastfeeding
From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.
Full LactMed record for deferasirox: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider insteadDeferasirox appears to pass into milk very poorly. Although Australian guidelines recommend against breastfeeding during deferasirox treatment, these were published before a case report of an infant being safely breastfed by a mother with beta-thalassemia receiving deferasirox and finding of no drug in breastmilk. However, since little published information is available on the use of deferasirox during breastfeeding, monitoring of the infant's serum iron is recommended.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised June 15, 2024. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What people report to the FDA about deferasirox
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 3,028 reports naming deferasirox, and the FDA flagged 86% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- sickle cell anaemia with crisis407 reports
- diarrhoea191 reports
- pyrexia180 reports
- vomiting127 reports
- hospitalisation124 reports
- haemoglobin decreased120 reports
- nausea117 reports
- anaemia116 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean deferasirox caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 25, 2026.
How long deferasirox stays in your system
The elimination half-life of deferasirox is about 8 to 16 hours (the label gives a mean elimination half-life range, not a single number). This is the elimination (terminal) half-life of deferasirox itself after oral dosing; the label reports no separate distribution-phase half-life. Deferasirox is not a prodrug, and the label names no active metabolite — it is cleared mainly by glucuronidation (UGT1A1/UGT1A3) with biliary/fecal excretion (84% of the dose in feces, only ~8% renal), and the label describes enterohepatic recycling of the glucuronides but does not attribute activity or a longer half-life to them. On populations, the label does not restate a different half-life number, but it does say exposure rises: with liver impairment, single-dose AUC was 16% higher in mild (Child-Pugh A) and 76% higher in moderate (Child-Pugh B) impairment vs normal liver function (severe/Child-Pugh C was studied in only 1 patient); with kidney impairment, patients with MDS and eGFR 40–60 mL/min/1.73 m2 had roughly 50% higher mean trough concentrations than those above 60. For older adults the label reports more frequent adverse reactions and greater risk (often from reduced liver/kidney function), but it does not state an age-related change in half-life. This is a pharmacokinetic figure only — not a drug-test detection window and not dosing guidance.
DEFERASIROX tablet — DailyMed FDA label, §12.3 Pharmacokinetics (Excretion) ↗Half-life is how long the body takes to clear half a dose. It is not the same as how long a drug test can detect it, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is Exjade?
Exjade (Deferasirox) is an iron chelator used to treat Iron Overload.
What kind of drug is deferasirox?
The FDA classifies deferasirox as an iron chelator. Iron chelators grab onto excess free iron in the blood and tissues, locking it into a stable complex the body can no longer use. This bound iron is then flushed out in the urine or stool, lowering dangerous iron overload from repeated transfusions or other causes. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
How long does deferasirox stay in your system?
The elimination half-life of deferasirox is about 8 to 16 hours (the label gives a mean elimination half-life range, not a single number) — that is how long the body takes to clear half of a dose. This is the elimination (terminal) half-life of deferasirox itself after oral dosing; the label reports no separate distribution-phase half-life. Deferasirox is not a prodrug, and the label names no active metabolite — it is cleared mainly by glucuronidation (UGT1A1/UGT1A3) with biliary/fecal excretion (84% of the dose in feces, only ~8% renal), and the label describes enterohepatic recycling of the glucuronides but does not attribute activity or a longer half-life to them. On populations, the label does not restate a different half-life number, but it does say exposure rises: with liver impairment, single-dose AUC was 16% higher in mild (Child-Pugh A) and 76% higher in moderate (Child-Pugh B) impairment vs normal liver function (severe/Child-Pugh C was studied in only 1 patient); with kidney impairment, patients with MDS and eGFR 40–60 mL/min/1.73 m2 had roughly 50% higher mean trough concentrations than those above 60. For older adults the label reports more frequent adverse reactions and greater risk (often from reduced liver/kidney function), but it does not state an age-related change in half-life. This is a pharmacokinetic figure only — not a drug-test detection window and not dosing guidance. Half-life is not the same as how long a drug test can detect the drug, and it varies with age, kidney and liver function.
Can you take deferasirox with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run deferasirox against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is deferasirox sold under?
We track 4 deferasirox-containing products in the U.S.: Deferasirox, Exjade, Jadenu and Jadenu Sprinkle. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does deferasirox come in?
Across the brands we track, deferasirox is currently marketed as powder and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic deferasirox?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic deferasirox product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Deferasirox: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/deferasirox
- MLA
- “Deferasirox: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/deferasirox.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for deferasirox on DailyMed (NIH) ↗ — including its boxed warning in full.