Deferiprone

FERRIPROX

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Pronunciation: de-FER-i-proen (FE-ri-prox)

Deferiprone ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Deferiprone ballicule

What it isOral iron chelator; transfusional iron overload.

Why this onePenetrates cells and removes CARDIAC iron better than the other chelators, which matters in thalassemia.

What limits itAgranulocytosis requires weekly neutrophil counts. Three-times-daily dosing; arthropathy.

Deferiprone molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Deferiprone

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden3 / 4

Overdose danger3 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk1 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryUnknown / historical label unavailable

Defining liabilityAgent-specific cardiovascular, neurologic or metabolic toxicity requires monitored use in poisoning or overload.

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

BOXED WARNING Agranulocytosis and neutropenia; measure ANC before and monitor regularly during therapy; interrupt if neutropenia/infection develops.

FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Transfusional iron overload — FERRIPROX Tablets (twice a day), 1,000 mg	Adults & peds ≥8 yr	75 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses (~12 h apart) with food	Adjust to response/iron burden	99 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses
Transfusional iron overload — FERRIPROX Tablets (three times a day), 1,000 mg	Adults & peds ≥8 yr	75 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses	Adjust to response/iron burden	99 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Instructions

Two distinct 1,000 mg tablets: twice-a-day tablet (2 doses ~12 h apart, with food) vs three-times-a-day tablet (3 doses) — identify formulation before dispensing; schedules not interchangeable. Round total daily dose to nearest 500 mg (half-tablet).
Monitor ANC before therapy, then weekly (first 6 mo), every 2 weeks (next 6 mo), every 2-4 weeks thereafter.
For patients with difficulty swallowing, consider oral solution.

Available strengths

tab 500, 1000 mg
sol 100 mg/mL

Cautions

Agranulocytosis and neutropenia — can be fatal
Liver enzyme (ALT) elevations
Zinc deficiency
Hypersensitivity (Henoch-Schonlein purpura, urticaria, periorbital edema with rash)

Adverse reactions

Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Arthralgia
ALT increased
Neutropenia

Pregnancy Animal structural abnormalities, embryo-fetal mortality; limited human data insufficient.

Lactation Breastfeeding not recommended during and for >=2 weeks after last dose.

Cost

Deferiprone (FERRIPROX)

Strength		#/mo	CostPlus
500 mg	tab	90 TID	offered
1000 mg	tab	90 TID	offered
100 mg/mL	sol	per unit	not offered

NADAC is a voluntary CMS survey of what retail community pharmacies pay for the drugs they stock. Deferiprone is dispensed outside retail pharmacies, so it rarely appears on surveyed invoices.

Generic entry2019

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Self-check

Which organ’s iron does deferiprone remove especially well?
Cardiac iron.
How often are neutrophil counts required?
Weekly.