Deferasirox is an iron-chelating agent provided as a tablet for oral use. Deferasirox is designated chemically as 4-[3,5-bis(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-1 H -1,2,4-triazol-1-yl] benzoic acid and has the following structural formula: Deferasirox is a white to slightly yellow colour powder. It has a molecular formula C 21 H 15 N 3 O 4 and molecular weight of 373.36. Deferasirox tablets contain 90 mg, 180 mg, or 360 mg deferasirox. Inactive ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydrogenated castor oil, lactose monohydrate, low substituted hydroxy propyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, poloxamer (188), povidone (K30) and sodium stearyl fumarate. The film coating contains .hypromellose, titanium dioxide, propylene glycol, talc and iron oxide yellow. structure

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.

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.

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.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Iron Chelator
Treats: Iron Overload
Available as: Powder · Tablet
Sold as: 4 products — Deferasirox, Exjade and Jadenu, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $38 for a 30-count supply
Boxed warning: Boxed warning

How deferasirox is dosed

From the FDA label for Deferasirox (application ANDA208697). 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 14 mg per kg (calculated to nearest whole tablet ) once daily. ( 2.1 ) NTDT Syndromes: Initial dose for patients with eGFR greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 is 7 mg per kg (calculated to nearest whole tablet) once daily. ( 2.2 ) See full prescribing information for information regarding monitoring, administration, and dose-reductions for organ impairment. ( 2.1 , 2,2 , 2.3 , 2.4 ) 2.1Transfusional Iron Overload Deferasirox tablets 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 Obtain renal function Obtain serum creatinine in duplicate (due to variations in measurements). 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 […

Deferasirox 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 deferasirox-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 AvKARE at 1-855-361-3993; email [email protected]; or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1Clinical 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…

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.

Deferasirox products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Deferasirox Boxed warning	70/100	Prescription	Powder	Generic	$38	View →
2	Exjade

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.

Deferasirox pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
J;125;NVR	125 mg	white	round	—
J;250;NVR	250 mg	white	round	—
J;500;NVR	500 mg	white	round	—
D;125	125 mg	white	round	—
D;500	500 mg	white	round	—
D;360	360 mg

Frequently asked questions

What is deferasirox?: Deferasirox is an iron-chelating agent provided as a tablet for oral use. Deferasirox is designated chemically as 4-[3,5-bis(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-1 H -1,2,4-triazol-1-yl] benzoic acid and has the following structural formula: Deferasirox is a white to slightly yellow colour powder. It has a molecular formula C 21 H 15 N 3 O 4 and molecular weight of 373.36. Deferasirox tablets contain 90 mg, 180 mg, or 360 mg deferasirox. Inactive ingredients include colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydrogenated castor oil, lactose monohydrate, low substituted hydroxy propyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, poloxamer (188), povidone (K30) and sodium stearyl fumarate. The film coating contains .hypromellose, titanium dioxide, propylene glycol, talc and iron oxide yellow. structure
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.
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.

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.

Deferasirox drug interactions

Do not take deferasirox with aluminum-containing antacid preparations.( 7.1 ) Deferasirox increases the exposure of the repaglinide. Consider repaglinide dose reduction and monitor blood glucose levels. ( 7.3 ) Avoid the use of deferasirox with theophylline as theophylline levels could be increased. ( 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 ) 7.1Aluminum-Containing Antacid Preparations The concomitant administration of deferasirox and aluminum-containing antacid preparations has not been formally studied. Although deferasirox has a lower affinity for aluminum than for iron, do not take deferasirox with aluminum-containing antacid preparations. 7.2Agents 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,…