Deferasirox

Deferasirox may cause serious or life-threatening damage to the kidneys. The risk that you will develop kidney damage is greater if you have many medical conditions, or are very sick because of a blood disease. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take deferasirox. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: decreased urination, swelling in the ankles, legs, or feet, excessive tiredness, shortness of breath, and confusion. For children taking this medication, there is an increased risk that you will develop kidney problems if you get sick while taking deferasirox and develop diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or stop drinking fluids normally. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Deferasirox may also cause serious or life-threatening damage to the liver. The risk that you will develop liver damage is greater if you are older than 55 years of age, or if you have other serious medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease. If you develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: yellowing of the skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms, lack of energy, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right part of the stomach, or unusual bruising or bleeding.

Deferasirox may also cause serious or life threatening bleeding in the stomach or intestines. The risk that you will develop severe bleeding in the stomach or intestines may be greater if you are elderly, or are very sick from a blood condition. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a low level of platelets (a type of blood cell that is needed to control bleeding), or if you are taking any of the following medications: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others); certain medications to strengthen the bones including alendronate (Binosto, Fosamax), etidronate, ibandronate (Boniva), pamidronate, risedronate (Actonel, Atelvia), and zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa); or steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (A-methapred, Depo-medrol, Medrol, Solu-medrol), or prednisone (Rayos). If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: burning stomach pain, vomit that is bright red or looks like coffee grounds, bright red blood in stools, or black or tarry stools.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order laboratory tests before and during your treatment to be sure it is safe for you to take deferasirox and to see if you are developing these serious side effects.

🔔 Why is this medication prescribed?

Deferasirox is used to treat adults and children 2 years of age and older who have too much iron in their body because they received many blood transfusions. It is also used to treat adults and children 10 years of age and older who have too much iron in their body because of a genetic blood disorder called non–transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). Deferasirox is in a class of medications called iron chelators. It works by attaching to iron in the body so that it can be excreted (removed from the body) in feces.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Deferasirox comes as a tablet, granules, and a tablet for suspension (a tablet to dissolve in liquid) to take by mouth. It should be taken on an empty stomach once a day, at least 30 minutes before eating, The tablets and granules can also be taken with a light meal such as a whole wheat English muffin with jelly and skim milk, or a small turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. Take deferasirox at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take deferasirox exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Different deferasirox products are absorbed by the body in different ways and cannot be substituted for one another. If you need to switch from one deferasirox product to another, your doctor may need to adjust your dose. Each time you receive your medication, check to be sure that you have received the deferasirox product that was prescribed for you. Ask your pharmacist if you are not sure that you received the right medication.

Swallow deferasirox tablets (Jadenu) with water or other liquid. If you have trouble swallowing the tablet, you may crush the tablet and mix with a soft food such as yogurt or applesauce immediately before taking. However, do not crush the 90 mg tablet (Jadenu) using a professional crushing device that has jagged edges.

To take deferasirox granules (Jadenu), sprinkle the granules on a soft food such a yogurt or applesauce immediately before taking.

To take deferasirox tablets for suspension (Exjade), follow these steps:

1. Always dissolve the tablets for suspension in liquid before you take them. Do not chew or swallow the tablets for suspension whole.
2. If you are taking less than 1000 mg of deferasirox, fill a cup halfway (about 3.5 oz/100 mL) with water, apple juice, or orange juice. If you are taking more than 1000 mg of deferasirox, fill a cup (about 7 oz/200 mL) with water, apple juice, or orange juice. If you are not sure how much deferasirox you are to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
3. Place the number of tablets your doctor has told you to take in the cup.
4. Stir the liquid for 3 minutes to completely dissolve the tablets.The mixture may become thick as you stir it.
5. Drink the liquid immediately.
6. Add a small amount of liquid to the empty cup and stir. Swish the cup to dissolve any medication that is still in the glass or on the stirrer.
7. Drink the rest of the liquid.

Your doctor may adjust your dose of deferasirox not more than once every 3 to 6 months, depending on the results of your laboratory tests.

Deferasirox removes extra iron from your body slowly over time. Continue to take deferasirox even if you feel well. Do not stop taking deferasirox without talking to your doctor.