What is Exjade?
Exjade removes iron from the bloodstream by binding to it.Exjade can be used to treat an iron overload due to blood transfusions, in both adults and children older than 2 years.Exjade can also be used to treat chronic iron overload syndrome caused by nontransfusion-dependent thalassemia in adults and children aged 10 years or more.
Side effects of Exjade
If you experience any of the following symptoms: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or severe skin reactions (fever or sore throat with burning eyes, skin pain or blistering, or a red or purple rash),
Exjade should be stopped immediately, and you should consult your doctor if:
- Problems with hearing or vision
- Kidney disease: little or no urine, swelling of the feet or ankles, and feeling tired or breathless;
- Liver problems: nausea, upper abdominal pain, itching and tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
- Low blood cell counts: fever, chills; mouth sores or skin sores; pale skin Easy bruising. Unusual bleeding. Cold hands or feet. Feeling light-headed.
- Signs of stomach bleeding: bloody or black tarry stools; bloody vomit or bloody phlegm
In older adults, serious side effects are more likely to occur.
Exjade may cause side effects such as:
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain;
- Diarrhea;
- Skin rash.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side
Warnings
Exjade should not be used if you suffer from severe kidney disease or liver diseases; advanced cancer; a disorder of the blood cells or bone marrow; or low platelet levels in your blood.Exjade may harm your kidneys or liver. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience swelling, rapid weight gain or shortness of breath, pain or discomfort in the upper stomach or side, little or no urine production, dark urine or clay-colored stool, or jaundice.Exjade can also cause stomach and intestinal bleeding. If you experience symptoms of stomach bleeding, such as bloody or black stools or vomiting blood or coffee grounds, call your doctor immediately.Avoid taking aluminum-containing antacids such as Amphojel (Gaviscon), Maalox (Mi-Acid), Mylanta (Rulox), Mylanta (Mylanta), Gaviscon, and other antacids while you are on deferasirox.
Before you take this drug
Exjade 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.
Inform your doctor of any of the following issues:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Anemia (low blood red cells)
- Cancer (especially blood-cell cancers such as leukemia);
- A stomach ulcer
- Stomach or intestinal bleeding
- Vision or hearing problems
- A weak immune system can be caused by a disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS) or by receiving steroids or chemotherapy.
This medicine is not known to harm an unborn child. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.Birth-control pills can be less effective when taken with Exjade. Ask your doctor if you can use non-hormonal birth controls to prevent pregnancy (condoms, diaphragms with spermicide).Deferasirox should not be taken while breastfeeding.
How to take Exjade?
Exjade should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. Read all the instructions on the prescription label.Exjade is only safe if you are free of any conditions that could prevent it from working.Take your medicine at the same dose every day.Take Exjade at least 30 minutes prior to eating.Don't chew, crush, or swallow the Exjade dispersible tablets. Place the tablet in a glass filled with apple juice, water, or orange juice, and let it dissolve. The tablet won't dissolve completely. This mixture should be consumed immediately. Pour to ensure you receive the full dose; add some more liquid in the same glass. Swirl gently, then drink immediately.Dissolve the tablet dispersible in half a cup of orange juice or apple juice if you are taking less than 1000 mg (1 gram) per day. If you are taking more than 1000 mg daily, dissolve the dispersible tablet in 1 cup of apple juice, water, or orange juice.You may require frequent blood tests. You may also require a liver biopsy and a checkup every six months on your kidney or liver functions.Store away from heat and moisture at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Contact Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect a poison exposure, or seek immediate medical care.
What should be avoided?
Use only the iron-chelating medicine deferoxamine or desferal if your doctor has prescribed it. Avoid taking antacids that contain aluminum, such as Amphojel, Gaviscon Maalox, Mi Acid, Mylanta Rulox, and other similar products. Deferasirox can impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain medications together. Some drugs may affect the blood levels of drugs that you are taking, which can increase side effects and make them less effective.Deferasirox can interact with many drugs. These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions. Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.
