Generic Name: DEFERIPRONE - ORAL
Pronounced: (de-FER-i-prone)

Deferiprone Oral Uses

This medication is used by people with a certain type of blood disorder (thalassemia) who have too much iron in the body, caused by repeated blood transfusions. Blood transfusions help people with blood disorders but they also bring extra iron into the body. It is important to get rid of the extra iron because high levels of iron can cause health problems (such as heart failure, liver disease, diabetes, delayed growth in children). Deferiprone is used if you have trouble taking other traditional iron-removal medications or you continue to have high iron levels after taking other iron-removal medications.

Deferiprone belongs to a class of drugs known as iron chelators. It works by attaching to iron which helps your body pass the extra iron out in the urine.

How To Use Deferiprone Oral

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking deferiprone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times a day (morning, midday, and evening). Taking this medication with food may help lessen nausea.

Take this medication 4 hours apart from products that may bind to it, decreasing its effectiveness. Ask your pharmacist about the other products you take. Some examples include antacids, vitamins/minerals (such as those containing iron, aluminum, zinc), among others.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to treatment (including laboratory test results). Your treatment may need to be adjusted or stopped if you develop serious side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Keep all medical/laboratory appointments.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

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