Ferriprox (deferiprone)Company: Apotex
Approval Status: Approved October 2011
Treatment for: transfusional iron overload due to thalassemia
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.
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.
Adverse events associated with the use of Ferriprox may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- abdominal pain
- alanine aminotransferase increased
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.
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
For additional information regarding Ferriprox or transfusional iron overload due to thalassemia, please visit the Ferriprox web page.
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.