Deferiprone oral tablets

What is this medication?

DEFERIPRONE (de FER ip rone) binds to iron in the blood. It helps to prevent and treat too much iron in the blood caused by blood transfusions.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Ferriprox

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• infection
• liver disease
• low blood counts (white cells, platelets, or red cells)
• an unusual or allergic reaction to deferiprone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Keep taking it unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

Take antacids or products with iron, aluminum, or zinc in them at a different time of day than this medicine. Take this medicine 4 hours before or after these products.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 8 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• antacids, vitamins, or other products that contain aluminum, iron, or zinc
• diclofenac
• medicines that lower your chance of fighting infection
• milk thistle or silymarin
• probenecid

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. You may need blood work while you are taking this medicine.

Your urine might show a red or brown discoloration during treatment. This is a very common sign of the desired effect of this medicine, and it is not harmful.

Alcohol may interfere with the effects of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine or for 6 months after stopping it. Women should inform their health care provider if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping it. There is potential for serious harm to an unborn child. Talk to your health care provider for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine or for 2 weeks after the last dose.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions (skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• infection (fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain or trouble passing urine)
• liver injury (dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; loss of appetite, right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired, yellowing of the eyes or skin, light-colored stool)

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• headache
• joint or bone pain
• nausea
• red or dark-brown urine
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Protect from moisture. Keep the container tightly closed. Get rid of any unused medicine after the expiration date.

To get rid of medicines that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medicine to a medicine take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medicine, check the label or package insert to see if the medicine should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your health care provider. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medicine out of the container. Mix the medicine with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.