DEFERASIROX
(de FER a sir ox) Brand: Exjade
What is the most significant information I must know about deferasirox?
• You must not use this medication if you have severe kidney malady, advanced cancer, a blood cell or bone marrow mess, or low levels of platelets in your blood.
• Deferasirox can harm your liver or kidneys. Stop using deferasirox and call your doctor at once if you have swelling, rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, pain in your upper stomach, loss of appetite, pain in your side or lower back, few or no urinating, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
• Deferasirox may also reason stomach or intestinal bleeding. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of stomach bleeding such as bloody or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• While using deferasirox, you may need frequent blood trials and you may need a liver biopsy.
What is deferasirox?
• Deferasirox binds to iron and removes it from the blood stream.
• Deferasirox is used to treat iron overload caused by blood transfusions in adults and children at least 2 years old.
• Deferasirox is also used to treat chronic iron overload syndrome caused by a genetic blood mess in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.
• Deferasirox may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till using deferasirox?
• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
· severe kidney disease;
· advanced cancer;
· a bone marrow mess; or
· a blood cell mess such as anemia (lack of red blood cells) or low levels of platelets in your blood.
• To create certain you can safely use deferasirox, speak your doctor if you have any of these another conditions:
· kidney disease;
· liver disease;
· cancer (especially blood cell cancer such as leukemia);
· a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding;
· vision or hearing problems; or
· a weak immune system caused by malady (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation.
• FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether deferasirox will harm an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
• It is not known whether deferasirox passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing child. You must not breast-feed while you are taking deferasirox.
• Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.
How must I take deferasirox?
• Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medication in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended.
• Take deferasirox on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes till eating. Take the medicine at the same time each day.
• Do not chew, crush, or swallow the deferasirox tablet whole. Seat the tablet into a glass of apple juice, orange juice, or water and let the tablet to disperse in the liquid. The tablet will not dissolve completely. Drink this mixture right away. To create certain you get the entire doze, add a few more liquid to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
• If you take smaller than 1000 milligrams (1 gram) daily, dissolve the deferasirox tablets in about one-half cup of apple juice, orange juice, or water. If you take more than 1000 milligrams daily, dissolve the tablets in about 1 cup of apple juice, orange juice, or water.
• While using deferasirox, you may need frequent blood trials. Your liver function may also need to be checked each 6 months, and you may need a liver biopsy.
• Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What must I avoid while taking deferasirox?
• Do not use another iron chelating medicines such as deferoxamine (Desferal), unless your doctor has told you to.
• While you are taking deferasirox, do not take antacids that contain aluminum, such as Amphojel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Mi-Acid, Mylanta, Rulox, and others.
• Deferasirox may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
What are the possible side effects of deferasirox?
• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using deferasirox and call your doctor at once if you have:
· kidney problems--drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, few or no urinating;
· liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
· stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
· sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, skin sores, cool or flu symptoms, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
· pale skin, light bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin, rapid heart course, trouble concentrating;
· problems with vision or hearing; or
· severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your person or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the person or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
• General side effects may include:
· dizziness;
· mild nausea, vomiting, mild stomach pain;
· diarrhea; or
· mild skin rash
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What another drugs will affect deferasirox?
• Speak your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with deferasirox, especially:
· repaglinide;
· aminophylline, theophylline; or
• This list is not complete. Another drugs may interact with deferasirox, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medicine manual.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist can provide more information about deferasirox.
Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
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