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defitelio

Defitelio (Defibrotide Sodium) is a medication used to treat Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease.

Defibrotide Sodium · by Jazz

Not yet rated· sourced from the FDA label
Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated June 7, 2026·How we rate
Verified againstopenFDANIH DailyMedRxClass

Key facts

Active ingredient
Defibrotide Sodium
Form
Injectable
Strength
Defibrotide Sodium 200MG/2.5ML (80MG/ML)
Type
Prescription (Rx)
Brand or generic
Brand-name
Manufacturer
Jazz
FDA application
NDA208114

What is Defitelio?

From the FDA label:Defibrotide sodium is an oligonucleotide mixture with profibrinolytic properties. The chemical name of defibrotide sodium is polydeoxyribonucleotide, sodium salt. Defibrotide sodium is a polydisperse mixture of predominantly single-stranded (ss) polydeoxyribonucleotide sodium salts derived from porcine intestinal tissue having a mean weighted molecular weight of 14-19 kDa, and a potency of 27-39 and 28-38 biological units per mg as determined by two separate assays measuring the release of a product formed by contact between defibrotide sodium, plasmin and a plasmin substrate. The primary structure of defibrotide sodium is shown below. DEFITELIO (defibrotide sodium) injection is a clear, light yellow to brown, sterile, preservative-free solution in a single-patient-use vial for intravenous use. Each milliliter of the injection contains 80 mg of defibrotide sodium and 10 mg of Sodium Citrate, USP, in Water for Injection, USP. Hydrochloric Acid, NF, and/or Sodium Hydroxide, NF, may have been used to adjust pH to 6.8-7.8. chemical structure

How to use

Administer DEFITELIO 6.25 mg/kg every 6 hours given as a 2-hour intravenous infusion. ( 2.1 ) • Treat for a minimum of 21 days. If after 21 days signs and symptoms of VOD have not resolved, continue treatment until resolution. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage The recommended dosage of DEFITELIO for adult and pediatric patients is 6.25 mg/kg every 6 hours given as a 2‑hour intravenous infusion. The dose should be based on patient’s baseline body weight, defined as the patient’s weight prior to the preparative regimen for HSCT. Administer DEFITELIO for a minimum of 21 days. If after 21 days signs and symptoms of hepatic VOD have not resolved, continue DEFITELIO until resolution of VOD or up to a maximum of 60 days. 2.2 Administration Instructions • DEFITELIO must be diluted prior to infusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) ] . • Prior to administration of DEFITELIO, confirm that the patient is not experiencing clinically significant bleeding and is hemodynamically stable on no more than one vasopressor [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . • Administer DEFITELIO by constant intravenous infusion over a 2-hour period. • Administer the diluted DEFITELIO solution using an infusion set equipped with a 0.2 micron in-line filter. Flush the intravenous administration line (peripheral or central) with 5% Dextrose Injection, USP or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP immediately…

Side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and independent of causality) with DEFITELIO treatment were hypotension, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and epistaxis. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-520-5568 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 compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of DEFITELIO was determined in 176 adult and pediatric patients with hepatic VOD with pulmonary and/or renal dysfunction following HSCT who were treated with DEFITELIO 6.25 mg/kg every 6 hours [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . Patients were excluded from these trials if at time of study entry they had significant acute bleeding, active grades B-D graft-versus-host disease, or a requirement for multiple vasopressors to provide blood pressure support. For the purposes of adverse event recording in the clinical trials, events were not required to be reported…

Warnings

Important safety information

Hemorrhage: Monitor patients for bleeding. Withhold or discontinue DEFITELIO if significant bleeding occurs. ( 2.3 , 5.1 ) • Hypersensitivity Reactions: If severe or life threatening allergic reaction occurs, discontinue DEFITELIO, treat according to standard of care, and monitor until signs and symptoms resolve. ( 2.3 , 5.2 ) 5.1 Hemorrhage DEFITELIO increased the activity of fibrinolytic enzymes in vitro, and it may increase the risk of bleeding in patients with VOD after hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Do not initiate DEFITELIO in patients with active bleeding. Monitor patients for signs of bleeding. If patients on DEFITELIO develop bleeding, discontinue DEFITELIO, treat the underlying cause, and provide supportive care until the bleeding has stopped [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . Concomitant use of DEFITELIO and a systemic anticoagulant or fibrinolytic therapy (not including use for routine maintenance or reopening of central venous lines) may increase the risk of bleeding. Discontinue anticoagulants and fibrinolytic agents prior to DEFITELIO treatment, and consider delaying the start of DEFITELIO administration until the effects of the anticoagulant have abated [see Contraindications (4) ] . 5.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with DEFITELIO. These reactions include rash, urticaria and angioedema. One case of an anaphylactic reaction was reported in a patient who had previously received DEFITELIO. Monitor patients for hypersensitivity reactions, especially if there is a history of previous exposure. If a severe hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue DEFITELIO, treat according to the standard of care, and monitor until symptoms resolve [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] .

Who should not take Defitelio

The use of DEFITELIO is contraindicated in the following conditions: • Concomitant administration with systemic anticoagulant or fibrinolytic therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Known hypersensitivity to DEFITELIO or to any of its excipients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] • Concomitant administration with systemic anticoagulant or fibrinolytic therapy. ( 4 ) • Known hypersensitivity to DEFITELIO or to any of its excipients. ( 4 )

Overdose — what happens if you take too much

There are no known cases of overdose with DEFITELIO. There is no known antidote for DEFITELIO, and DEFITELIO is not dialyzable. If an overdose occurs, institute general supportive measures.

U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.

Interactions

Antithrombotic Agents DEFITELIO may enhance the pharmacodynamic activity of antithrombotic/fibrinolytic drugs such as heparin or alteplase. Concomitant use of DEFITELIO with antithrombotic or fibrinolytic drugs is contraindicated because of an increased risk of hemorrhage [see Contraindications (4) ] . • DEFITELIO may enhance the activity of antithrombotic/fibrinolytic drugs. ( 7 )

May treat (source: NIH RxClass)

Dosage forms

Injectable

The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.

Ways to save

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Frequently asked questions

What does Defitelio treat?
Defitelio (Defibrotide Sodium) may be used to treat hepatic veno-occlusive disease, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
Is there a coupon or discount for Defitelio?
pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Defitelio. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
Who makes Defitelio?
Defitelio is marketed by Jazz. You can see Jazz's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
Is Defitelio a brand-name or generic drug?
Defitelio is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Defibrotide Sodium.
Is Defitelio available over the counter?
No. Defitelio is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
What forms does Defitelio come in?
Defitelio is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
Is Defitelio FDA-registered?
Defitelio is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA208114. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
Is Defitelio safe?
There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Defitelio. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
What are the side effects of Defitelio?
Defitelio's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling: • Hemorrhage [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥10% and independent of causality) wit… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.

Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.

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