Deferasirox
Generic name: deferasirox [ de-FER-a-sir-ox ]
Brand names: Exjade, Jadenu, Jadenu Sprinkle
Dosage forms: oral granule for reconstitution (180 mg; 360 mg; 90 mg); oral tablet (180 mg; 360 mg; 90 mg); oral tablet, dispersible (125 mg; 250 mg; 500 mg)
Drug class:Chelating agents
What is deferasirox?
Deferasirox binds to iron and removes it from the bloodstream.
Deferasirox is used to treat iron overload caused by blood transfusions in adults and children at least 2 years old.
Deferasirox is also used to treat chronic iron overload syndrome caused by a genetic blood disorder in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.
Deferasirox may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use deferasirox if you have severe kidney or liver disease, advanced cancer, a blood cell or bone marrow disorder, or low levels of platelets in your blood.
Deferasirox can harm your liver or kidneys. Call your doctor at once if you have swelling, shortness of breath, pain in your upper stomach, loss of appetite, little or no urinating, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Deferasirox may also cause stomach or intestinal bleeding. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as bloody or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
severe liver or kidney disease;
advanced cancer;
a bone marrow disorder; or
low levels of platelets in your blood.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
anemia (low red blood cells);
cancer (especially blood cell cancer such as leukemia);
stomach or intestinal bleeding;
vision or hearing problems; or
a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Deferasirox can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal
