Deferasirox must be taken once daily on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before food, preferably at the same time each day. The tablets are dispersed by stirring in a glass of water or apple or orange juice (100 to 200 mL) until a line suspension is obtained. After the suspension has been swallowed, any residue must be resuspended in a small volume of water or juice and swallowed. The tablets must not be chewed or swallowed whole. Dispersion in carbonated drinks or milk is not recommended due to foaming and slow dispersion, respectively.
May chelate Al when used with Al-containing antacids. Decreased exposure with colestyramine and potent inducers of UGT enzymes (e.g. carbamazepine, rifampicin, phenytoin). May increase serum concentration of CYP1A2 (e.g. duloxetine, theophylline) and CYP2C8 (e.g. repaglinide, paclitaxel) substrates, and decrease serum concentrations of CYP3A4 substrates (e.g. ciclosporin, hormonal contraceptives, simvastatin).
Creatinine clearance <40 mL/min or serum creatinine >2 times the age-appropriate upper limit of normal. High risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients and patients with other hematological and non-hematological malignancies who are not expected to benefit from chelation therapy due to the rapid progression of their disease. Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Pregnancy: No clinical data on exposed pregnancies are available for deferasirox. Studies in animals have shown some reproductive toxicity at maternally toxic doses. The potential risk for humans is unknown. As a precaution, it is recommended that Deferasirox not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.
Breast-feeding: In animal studies, Deferasirox was found to be rapidly and extensively secreted into maternal milk. No effect on the offspring was noted. It is not known if Deferasirox is secreted into human milk. Breast-feeding while taking Deferasirox is not recommended.
Moderate hepatic impairment. Children. Pregnancy and lactation.
Dosage Modification for Adverse Renal Effects: Interrupt therapy if a progressive increase in SCR (Serum Creatinine Concentration) beyond the ULN occurs. Once SCR returns to within normal limits, reinitiate therapy at a lower dosage followed by gradual dosage escalation if clinical beneht is expected to outweigh potential risks. Reduce dosage by 10 mg/kg daily if SCR at 2 consecutive visits increases to a level >33% above the average pretreatment value and the increase cannot be attributed to other causes.
Dosage Modifcation for Adverse Hepatic Effects: Consider dosage adjustment or interruption of therapy in patients with severe, persistent, progressive, or unexplained elevations of liver function test results.
Single doses up to 40 mg/kg in normal subjects have been well tolerated. Acute signs of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, headache, and diarrhea. Overdose may be treated by induction of emesis or by gastric lavage, and by symptomatic treatment.
