Ferriprox Description

Your doctor may prescribe Ferriprox if you are undergoing regular blood transfusions and there is too much iron in your body. This is called transfusional iron overload and it usually occurs when treating Thalassemia, a condition where your body is unable to make normal red blood cells. Treatment is regular blood transfusions to keep up your red blood cell count, but this causes too much iron in your body that can eventually damage your heart, liver, and other organs.

How Ferriprox Removes Excess Iron From Your Blood

The active ingredient if Ferriprox is Deferiprone, an iron chelator that will help reduce the high levels of iron in your body from repeated blood transfusions. When taken as directed, Ferriprox will work to attach to iron in your body in order to form a compound that your body is able to excrete, mostly in your urine and smaller amounts in your stool. Without Ferriprox, there is no good way for your body to get rid of the excess iron.

More Information About Blood Disorders

Thalassemia is a blood disorder that can occur if you have inherited a gene mutation from your parents that causes an abnormality in the production of hemoglobin, a protein molecule in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. Thalassemia minor may develop if only one of your parents is a carrier. You may not have any of the symptoms, but you will also be a carrier of Thalassemia. Your chances of inheriting a more serious form of Thalassemia is greater if both parents carry the gene mutation.

Another use for Ferriprox is for treating hemochromatosis, a genetic condition that causes your body to absorb too much iron from your diet. Some people are able to maintain normal iron levels with therapeutic blood removal (phlebotomy), by donating blood regularly. You must meet blood services donor eligibility, depending on where you live.

Before Ferriprox is Prescribed for You

Tell your doctor before taking Ferriprox if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breast feeding as it could harm your unborn or nursing baby. Take a pregnancy test prior to iron chelation with Ferriprox and use reliable contraception to prevent a pregnancy until treatment has stopped and your doctor has given you the okay.

Discuss other medical conditions or allergies with your doctor and list any current OTC or Rx drugs you take or use, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements. Your doctor can then determine if Ferriprox is safe for you to take.

Ferriprox Precautions

Ferriprox can decrease your white blood cell levels which can leave you susceptible to infections. Regular blood tests will be done to monitor the levels of specific blood cells so any sign of infection can be detected early and treated. Never share this, or any of your medications, with others. Keep out of children’s reach and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects of Ferriprox

• Headache
• Weight gain
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting

Drugs Similar to Ferriprox

• Exjade