deferasirox at a glance
Medicine class
Iron-chelating agent
Main role
Removes excess body iron associated with transfusions or certain thalassaemia syndromes
Administration
Film-coated tablets may be swallowed with water or crushed onto soft food
Food
Take on an empty stomach or with a light meal; avoid a high-fat meal
Oversight
Initiated and maintained by clinicians experienced in chronic iron overload
What is deferasirox used for?
Licensed uses represented by the selected film-coated tablet include:
Chronic iron overload from frequent transfusions in people aged 6 years and over with beta-thalassaemia major.
Transfusional iron overload in specified younger patients, people receiving less frequent transfusions, or people with other anaemias when deferoxamine is contraindicated or inadequate.
Iron overload requiring chelation in non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia syndromes from age 10 when deferoxamine is contraindicated or inadequate.
Deferasirox is also sometimes used for haemochromatosis when regular removal of blood is not possible, but this is not a licensed indication.
How does deferasirox work?
Deferasirox binds iron in a stable complex. The bound iron is removed mainly through bile and faeces, reducing iron accumulation in organs such as the liver and heart.
deferasirox preparations and strengths
How to take deferasirox
Follow the dispensing label and specialist team’s instructions.
Swallow film-coated tablets whole with water.
If swallowing is difficult, crush the tablets onto a small amount of yoghurt or apple purée. Consume all of it immediately and do not store it.
Take on an empty stomach or with a light meal rather than a high-fat meal.
Do not switch between film-coated and dispersible tablets without specialist review because their absorption differs.
deferasirox side effects
Common or expected effects
- Increased blood creatinine or protein in urine
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain, bloating or indigestion
- Headache
- Rash or itching
- Raised liver enzymes
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial swelling or breathing difficulty
- Blistering, peeling or widespread rash, including Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis or DRESS
- Kidney injury or renal tubular dysfunction
- Liver inflammation or failure
- Stomach or intestinal ulceration, bleeding or perforation
- Unexplained blood-cell reduction
- Pancreatitis causing severe abdominal pain
- Hearing or visual disturbance
deferasirox in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is very limited, so deferasirox is not recommended unless a specialist considers it clearly necessary. It may reduce hormonal contraception’s effectiveness; discuss additional or alternative non-hormonal contraception with the prescriber.
deferasirox while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether deferasirox enters human milk. The selected product information recommends avoiding breastfeeding during treatment; discuss feeding options with the specialist team.
deferasirox interactions
Tell the specialist team and pharmacist about prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products. Important examples include:
Other iron chelators
Do not combine them with deferasirox under the selected licence because safety has not been established.
Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital or ritonavir
These may reduce deferasirox exposure and effectiveness, requiring specialist monitoring.
Repaglinide
Deferasirox can substantially increase repaglinide exposure, so the combination should generally be avoided.
Common questions about deferasirox
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is deferasirox the same as deferiprone?
No. Both remove excess iron, but they are different active substances with different administration, interaction and safety profiles.
Can film-coated tablets be crushed?
Yes. They may be crushed onto a small amount of yoghurt or apple purée, which should be consumed completely and immediately.
Why are blood and urine tests needed?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.