Deferasirox is used for the treatment of blood iron excess.
What is Deferasirox?
Deferasirox is an iron chelating agent. It works by attaching the excess blood iron and promoting its removal from the body.
How should Deferasirox be taken?
Typically, Deferasirox is administered orally in tablet form.
Side effects associated with Deferasirox
Deferasirox may cause nausea or vomiting, severe skin reactions, serious liver and kidney problems, severe gastrointestinal bleeding and sometimes fatal problems to the bone marrow.
Among the other possible adverse effects are included:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
You should immediately contact a doctor if taking Deferasirox triggers any of the following symptoms:
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Itchy skin
- Difficult breathing
- Chest tightness
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue
- Audio or vision problems
- Symptoms for kidney or liver problems
- Symptoms of gastrointestinal ulcers
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Deferavirox
Deferavirox should not be taken in case of severe liver or kidney problems, very low platelets level, some hematologic or bone marrow disorders and tumors in advanced development stages.
Deferavirox can compromise the ability to drive or operate hazardous machinery, especially if taken in combination with alcohol or other drugs. It can also compromise the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
Moreover, before starting the treatment it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance , to other components, to other drugs or foods
- You are taking other medications, herbal remedies and supplements, in particular other iron chelating agents, anticoagulants, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, ritonavir, alosetron, caffeine, duloxetine, melatonin , paclitaxel, ramelteon, repaglinide, tacrine, theophylline, tizanidine, alfentanil, aprepitant, budesonide, buspirone, conivaptan, cyclosporine, darifenacin, darunavir, dasatinib, dihydroergotamine, droneradone, eletriptan, eplerenone, ergotamine, everolimus, felodipine, fentanyl, fluticasone, contraceptives hormonal, indinavir, lopinavir, lovastatin, lurasidone, maraviroc, midazolam, nisoldipine, pimozide, quinidine, saquinavir, sildenafil, simvastatin, sirolimus, tacrolimus, tolvaptan, tipranavir, triazolam, ticagrelor, vardenafil or dangerous drugs to the kidneys or liver
- You suffer (or have suffered) from myelodysplasia, kidney, liver or gastrointestinal problems, cancer, hematological or bone marrow disorders, low platelet levels, impaired vision or hearing, infections or dehydration
- You have problems with swallowing tablets
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
It is recommended to inform your physicians, surgeons and dentists about ongoing treatment with Deferasirox prior to any procedure.
