Ferriprox (deferiprone)

Company: Apotex
Approval Status: Approved October 2011
Treatment for: transfusional iron overload due to thalassemia
Areas: Hematology

General Information

Ferriprox (deferiprone) is a chelating agent with an affinity for ferric ion (iron III). Deferiprone binds with ferric ions to form neutral complexes that are stable over a wide range of pH values.

Ferriprox is specifically indicated for patients with transfusional iron overload due to thalassemia syndromes when current chelation therapy is inadequate.

Ferriprox is supplied as a tablet for oral administration. The recommended initial dose is 25 mg/kg, orally, three times per day for a total of 75 mg/kg/day. The maximum dose is 33 mg/kg, three times per day for a total of 99 mg/kg/day.

Clinical Results

FDA Approval
The FDA approval of Ferriprox was based on 12 clinical studies in 236 subjects who did not respond to prior iron chelation therapy. Ferriprox therapy (35-99 mg/kg/day) was considered successful in individuals who experienced a greater than or equal to 20% decline in serum ferritin within one year of starting therapy. Of the 236 enrolled subjects, 50% reached the endpoint of at least a 20% reduction in serum ferritin.

Side Effects

Adverse events associated with the use of Ferriprox may include, but are not limited to, the following:

chromaturia
nausea
vomiting
abdominal pain
alanine aminotransferase increased
arthralgia
neutropenia

Mechanism of Action

Ferriprox is a chelating agent with an affinity for ferric ion (iron III). Deferiprone binds with ferric ions to form neutral complexes that are stable over a wide range of pH values.

Literature References

Jamuar SS, Lai AH, Tan AM, Chan MY, Tan ES, Ng IS Use of deferiprone for iron chelation in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2011 Sep 9. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2011.02031

Akrawinthawong K, Chaowalit N, Chatuparisuth T, Siritanaratkul N Effectiveness of deferiprone in transfusion-independent beta-thalassemia/HbE patients. Hematology 2011 Mar;16(2):113-22

Additional Information

For additional information regarding Ferriprox or transfusional iron overload due to thalassemia, please visit the Ferriprox web page.

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Ferriprox Drug Information

The Ferriprox drug information shown above is licensed from Thomson CenterWatch. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers.