Deferiprone — uses, dosing, side effects & the brands that sell it · pharmaranks
Deferiprone: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Deferiprone is an iron chelator sold in the U.S. under 2 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 team·Reviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sources·How we research
From the FDA label for Ferriprox (application NDA208030). Other deferiprone products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
25 mg/kg to 33 mg/kg actual body weight, orally, three times per day, for a total daily dose of 75 mg/kg to 99 mg/kg body weight. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Information Monitoring for Safety Due to the risk of agranulocytosis, monitor ANC before and during FERRIPROX therapy. Test ANC prior to start of FERRIPROX therapy and monitor on the following schedule during treatment: First six months of therapy: Monitor ANC weekly; Next six months of therapy: Monitor ANC once every two weeks; After one year of therapy: Monitor ANC every two to four weeks (or at the patient's blood transfusion interval in patients that have not experienced an interruption due to any decrease in ANC [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Due to the risk of hepatic transaminase elevations, monitor ALT before and monthly during FERRIPROX therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Due to the risk of zinc deficiency, monitor zinc levels before and regularly during FERRIPROX therapy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage for FERRIPROX Oral Solution for Adult and Pediatric Patients with Transfusional Iron Overload due to Thalassemia Syndromes, Sickle Cell Disease or Other Anemias Starting Dosage The recommended starting oral dosage of FERRIPROX Oral Solution is 25 mg/kg (actual body weight), three times per day for a total of 75…
Deferiprone side effects
The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Agranulocytosis and Neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Liver Enzyme Elevations [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Zinc Deficiency [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The most common adverse reactions in patients with thalassemia (incidence ≥ 6%) are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, arthralgia, ALT increased and neutropenia. ( 6 ) The most common adverse reactions in patients with sickle cell disease or other anemias (incidence ≥6%) are pyrexia, abdominal pain, bone pain, headache, vomiting, pain in extremity, sickle cell anemia with crisis, back pain, ALT increased, AST increased, arthralgia, oropharyngeal pain, nasopharyngitis, neutrophil count decreased, cough and nausea. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Chiesi USA, Inc. at 1-888-661-9260 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The following adverse reaction information represents the pooled data collected from single arm or active-controlled clinical trials with FERRIPROX Tablets…
Every deferiprone product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
Deferiprone pill imprints
Imprint
Strength
Colour
Shape
Maker
FPX;DR;APO;1000
1000 mg
white
capsule
—
APO;1000
1000 mg
white
capsule
—
APO;500
500 mg
white
capsule
—
A;67
1000 mg
white
capsule
—
A;66
500 mg
white
capsule
—
54;23
1000 mg
Frequently asked questions
What is deferiprone?
Oral Solution (deferiprone) contains 100 mg/mL deferiprone (3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethylpyridin-4-one), a synthetic, orally active, iron-chelating agent. The molecular formula for deferiprone is C 7 H 9 NO 2 and its molecular weight is 139.15 g/mol. Deferiprone has the following structural formula: Deferiprone is a white to pinkish-white powder. It is sparingly soluble in deionized water (14.3 mg/mL) and has a melting point range of 272 °C - 278 °C. FERRIPROX Oral Solution is a clear, reddish orange colored solution. Each mL of oral solution contains 100 mg deferiprone and the following inactive ingredients: purified water, hydroxyethylcellulose, glycerin, hydrochloric acid, artificial cherry flavor, peppermint oil, FD&C Yellow No. 6, and sucralose. Structural Formula
What kind of drug is deferiprone?
The FDA classifies deferiprone 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 deferiprone 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 deferiprone 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 deferiprone sold under?
We track 2 deferiprone-containing products in the U.S.: Ferriprox and Deferiprone. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does deferiprone come in?
Across the brands we track, deferiprone is currently marketed as solution 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.
Who shouldn’t take deferiprone
FERRIPROX is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to deferiprone or to any of the excipients in the formulation. The following reactions have been reported in association with the administration of deferiprone: Henoch-Schönlein purpura; urticaria; and periorbital edema with skin rash [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )]. Hypersensitivity to deferiprone or to any of the excipients in the formulation. ( 4 )
Deferiprone drug interactions
Drugs Associated with Neutropenia or Agranulocytosis: Avoid co-administration. If co-administration is unavoidable, closely monitor the absolute neutrophil count. ( 7.1 ) UGT1A6 Inhibitors: Avoid co-administration. ( 7.2 ) Polyvalent Cations: Allow at least a 4-hour interval between administration of FERRIPROX and drugs or supplements containing polyvalent cations (e.g., iron, aluminum, or zinc). ( 2.2 , 7.2 ) 7.1 Drugs Associated with Neutropenia or Agranulocytosis Avoid co-administration of FERRIPROX with other drugs known to be associated with neutropenia or agranulocytosis. If co-administration is unavoidable, closely monitor the absolute neutrophil count [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . 7.2 Effect of Other Drugs on FERRIPROX UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) Avoid use of UGT1A6 inhibitors (e.g., diclofenac, probenecid, or silymarin (milk thistle)) with FERRIPROX [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Polyvalent Cations Deferiprone has the potential to bind polyvalent cations (e.g., iron, aluminum, and zinc); allow at least a 4-hour interval between FERRIPROX and other medications (e.g., antacids), or supplements containing these polyvalent cations [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )] .
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic deferiprone 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.