What is Deferasirox?
Iron is removed from the bloodstream by deferasirox. The treatment of iron overload due to blood transfusions is done with Deferasirox in both adults and children older than 2 years. Deferasirox can also be used to treat a chronic iron overdose syndrome that is caused by genetic blood disorders in children and adults older than 10 years. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Deferasirox.
Side effects of Deferasirox
If you experience symptoms of an allergy such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling, or in the face and throat, or severe skin reactions like a fever, sore neck, or burning pain in your eyes or skin, or have a red, purple, or even bluish rash, seek emergency medical attention.
Deferasirox can cause severe side effects. If you experience:
- Problems with hearing or vision
- Kidney problems: little or no urine, swelling of the feet and ankles, fatigue, or feeling short of breath.
- Liver problems: nausea, stomach pains, fatigue, an itchy feeling, dark urine, and clay-colored stools. Jaundice.
- Low blood counts can cause fever, chills, and mouth or skin sores. They may also be accompanied by bruising or bleeding that is unusual, or cold feet or hands.
- Signs of bleeding in the stomach include bloody or tarry stool, vomiting, or coughing up red or brown vomit.
In older adults, serious side effects are more common.
Deferasirox can cause a number of side effects.
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain;
- Diarrhea;
- Skin rash.
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor immediately if experiencing side effects; report these incidents by calling the FDA's hotline: 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Deferasirox should be avoided if you suffer from severe kidney disease or liver diseases; advanced cancer; a bone marrow or blood cell disorder; or low platelet levels in your blood. Deferasirox may harm the liver and kidneys. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience swelling, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms such as pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen, shortness of breath, little to no urination, dark urine or stools with clay colors, or jaundice. Deferasirox can also cause bleeding in the stomach or intestines. If you experience symptoms such as bloody stools or vomiting that looks like coffee grounds, call your doctor immediately.
Before you take this drug
This medication should not be used if:
- Severe liver or kidney disease
- Advanced cancer
- A bone marrow disease;
- Low levels of platelets are a sign that your blood is low in platelets.
If you've ever:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Anemia occurs when there is an insufficient supply of red blood cells.
- Cancer (mostly blood-cell cancers such as leukemia);
- An ulcer of the stomach
- Stomach or intestinal bleeding
- Vision or hearing disorders;
- A weak immune system can be caused by a disease, such as HIV or AIDS, or by receiving a steroid, chemotherapy, or radiation.
This medication has yet to be proven harmful for an unborn infant. Inform your doctor of any pregnancy or plans to get pregnant. Birth-control pills can be less effective when taken with Deferasirox. You can ask your doctor about non-hormonal birth controls to help prevent pregnancy. Deferasirox should not be taken while breastfeeding.
How to take Deferasirox?
You may be tested by your doctor to ensure that you are not suffering from any conditions that would make it unsafe for you to use deferasirox. Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all the directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Deferasirox should be taken at the same time every day. Take Exjade at least 30 minutes prior to eating. Jadenu can be taken on an empty stomach or after a low-fat snack. If you cannot swallow the jadenu whole, mix it with water in a glass. You can crush and mix the Jadenu tablets with applesauce or yogurt if you are unable to swallow them whole. Open the package and sprinkle the powder on the soft food. Do not chew the mix after mixing crushed tablets or sprinkles into soft foods. Don't save the mixture for later. Don't chew, crush, or swallow the Exjade dispersible tablets. The tablet can be placed in a glass filled with apple juice, water, or orange juice and allowed to dissolve. It will not completely dissolve. This mixture should be consumed immediately. To ensure you receive the full dose, pour a bit more liquid into the glass and swirl it gently. Then drink the mixture immediately. You can dissolve Exjade tablets in water, apple juice, or orange juice if you are taking less than 1 gram per day. You can dissolve the Exjade tablet in apple juice or orange juice if you are taking more than 1,000 milligrams per day. It is possible that you will need to have frequent blood tests. You may also require a liver or kidney function test every six months. Keep away from heat and moisture. Store at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never take more than one dose at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Use only the iron-chelating medicine Deferoxamine or Desferal if your doctor prescribes it. Avoid taking antacids that contain aluminum, such as Gaviscon or Maalox. The effects of deferasirox can affect your ability to think or react. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain drugs at the same time. Some medications can cause side effects that increase or decrease the effectiveness of another drug you are taking. Deferasirox can be affected by many drugs. These include prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medicines. This list does not include all interactions. Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.
