This informational website is developed by Chiesi USA, and is intended only for HCPs that are residents of the United States
In clinical studies, renal or hepatic impairment had no significant effect on systemic exposure to Ferriprox.1
† Ferriprox was not studied in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe hepatic impairment.
Renal disease is the
A cross sectional study of 216 patients showed
had reduced kidney function.3
Early recognition of renal dysfunction is of great importance in terms of intervening and improving prognosis.2
‡ Ferriprox has not been proven to impact outcomes related to renal disease or abnormalities.
Talk to your patients to ensure they are on an iron chelator that is right for them at the right dosing level that doesn’t impact their kidneys or liver.
‡ Ferriprox has not been proven to impact outcomes related to renal disease or abnormalities.
Indication
Ferriprox® (deferiprone) is an iron chelator indicated for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with:
Ferriprox Tablets are indicated in adult and pediatric patients ≥8 years of age; Ferriprox Oral Solution is indicated in patients ≥3 years of age.
Limitations of Use:
Safety and effectiveness have not been established for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia.
WARNING: AGRANULOCYTOSIS AND NEUTROPENIA
Indication
Ferriprox® (deferiprone) is an iron chelator indicated for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with:1
Ferriprox Tablets are indicated in adult and pediatric patients ≥8 years of age; Ferriprox Oral Solution is indicated in patients ≥3 years of age.
Limitations of Use:
Safety and effectiveness have not been established for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia.
Important Safety Information
Ferriprox is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to deferiprone or to any of the excipients in the formulations.
In pooled clinical trials, 7.5% of 642 patients with thalassemia syndromes treated with Ferriprox developed increased ALT values. Four (0.62%) Ferriprox-treated subjects discontinued the drug due to increased serum ALT levels and 1 (0.16%) due to an increase in both ALT and AST. In pooled clinical trials, 7.7% of 196 patients with sickle cell disease or other anemias treated with Ferriprox developed increased ALT values. Monitor serum ALT values monthly during therapy with Ferriprox and consider interruption of therapy if there is a persistent increase in the serum transaminase levels. Decreased plasma zinc concentrations have been observed on deferiprone therapy. Monitor plasma zinc annually, and supplement in the event of a deficiency.
Ferriprox can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with Ferriprox and for at least six months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Ferriprox and for at least three months after the last dose. Advise females not to breastfeed during treatment with Ferriprox and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose.
Avoid co-administration of Ferriprox with other drugs known to be associated with neutropenia or agranulocytosis; however, if this is unavoidable, closely monitor the absolute neutrophil count. Avoid co-administration with UGT1A6 inhibitors. Allow at least a 4-hour interval between administration of Ferriprox and drugs or supplements containing polyvalent cations (e.g., iron, aluminum, or zinc).
The most common adverse reactions in patients with thalassemia (incidence ≥6%) are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, arthralgia, ALT increased and neutropenia. 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.
Inform patients that their urine might show a reddish/brown discoloration due to the excretion of the iron-deferiprone complex. This is a very common sign of the desired effect, and it is not harmful.
Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking Ferriprox tablets (twice-a-day). Consumption of alcohol while taking Ferriprox tablets (twice-a-day) may result in more rapid release of deferiprone.
Please see Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING, and Medication Guide.
Indication
Ferriprox® (deferiprone) is an iron chelator indicated for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with:
Ferriprox Tablets are indicated in adult and pediatric patients ≥8 years of age; Ferriprox Oral Solution is indicated in patients ≥3 years of age.
Limitations of Use:
Safety and effectiveness have not been established for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia.
WARNING: AGRANULOCYTOSIS AND NEUTROPENIA
Indication
Ferriprox® (deferiprone) is an iron chelator indicated for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with:1
Ferriprox Tablets are indicated in adult and pediatric patients ≥8 years of age; Ferriprox Oral Solution is indicated in patients ≥3 years of age.
Limitations of Use:
Safety and effectiveness have not been established for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia.
Important Safety Information
Ferriprox is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to deferiprone or to any of the excipients in the formulations.
In pooled clinical trials, 7.5% of 642 patients with thalassemia syndromes treated with Ferriprox developed increased ALT values. Four (0.62%) Ferriprox-treated subjects discontinued the drug due to increased serum ALT levels and 1 (0.16%) due to an increase in both ALT and AST. In pooled clinical trials, 7.7% of 196 patients with sickle cell disease or other anemias treated with Ferriprox developed increased ALT values. Monitor serum ALT values monthly during therapy with Ferriprox and consider interruption of therapy if there is a persistent increase in the serum transaminase levels. Decreased plasma zinc concentrations have been observed on deferiprone therapy. Monitor plasma zinc annually, and supplement in the event of a deficiency.
Ferriprox can cause fetal harm. Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with Ferriprox and for at least six months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with Ferriprox and for at least three months after the last dose. Advise females not to breastfeed during treatment with Ferriprox and for at least 2 weeks after the last dose.
Avoid co-administration of Ferriprox with other drugs known to be associated with neutropenia or agranulocytosis; however, if this is unavoidable, closely monitor the absolute neutrophil count. Avoid co-administration with UGT1A6 inhibitors. Allow at least a 4-hour interval between administration of Ferriprox and drugs or supplements containing polyvalent cations (e.g., iron, aluminum, or zinc).
The most common adverse reactions in patients with thalassemia (incidence ≥6%) are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, arthralgia, ALT increased and neutropenia. 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.
Inform patients that their urine might show a reddish/brown discoloration due to the excretion of the iron-deferiprone complex. This is a very common sign of the desired effect, and it is not harmful.
Advise patients to avoid alcohol while taking Ferriprox tablets (twice-a-day). Consumption of alcohol while taking Ferriprox tablets (twice-a-day) may result in more rapid release of deferiprone.
Please see Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING, and Medication Guide.
References: 1. Ferriprox® (deferiprone) Prescribing Information. Chiesi, November 2021. 2. Demosthenous C, Vlachaki E, Apostolou C, et al. Beta-thalassemia: renal complications and mechanisms: a narrative review. Hematology 2019; 24:1, 426-38. 3. Quinn CT, Johnson VL, Hae-Young K et al. Renal dysfunction in patients with thalassemia. Br J Haematol 2011;153(1):111-7. 4. Sundaram N, Bennett M, Wilhelm J et al. Biomarkers for early detection of sickle nephropathy. Am J Hematol 2011;86(7):559-66.