Desirox 250mg Tablets (Deferasirox 250mg)

What is Desirox?

Desirox (deferasirox) binds to iron and removes it from the blood stream. Desirox is used to treat iron overload caused by blood transfusions in adults and children at least 2 years old. Desirox is also used to treat chronic iron overload syndrome caused by a genetic blood disorder in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Important information

You should not use Desirox if you have severe kidney or liver disease, advanced cancer, a blood cell or bone marrow disorder, or low levels of platelets in your blood. Deferasirox can harm your liver or kidneys. Stop using Desirox 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, little or no urinating, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Deferasirox may also cause 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 you are taking Desirox, do not take antacids that contain aluminum, such as Amphojel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Mi-Acid, Mylanta, Rulox, and others.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Desirox if you are allergic to deferasirox, or if you have: severe liver or kidney disease; advanced cancer; a bone marrow disorder; or low levels of platelets in your blood.

To make sure Desirox is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: kidney disease; liver disease; anemia (low red blood cells); cancer (especially blood cell cancer such as leukemia); a stomach ulcer; a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding; vision or hearing problems; or a weak immune system caused by disease (such as cancer, HIV, or AIDS), or by receiving steroids, chemotherapy, or radiation.

It is not known whether Desirox will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Desirox can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy. It is not known whether deferasirox passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Desirox.

How should I take Desirox?

Take Desirox exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Your doctor may perform certain tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using Desirox. Take this medicine at the same time every day. Take Desirox on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating. Do not chew or crush the Desirox dispersible tablet and do not swallow it whole. Place the tablet into a glass of apple juice, orange juice, or water and allow the tablet to disperse in the liquid. The tablet will not dissolve completely. Drink this mixture right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more liquid to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

If you take less than 1000 milligrams (1 gram) daily, dissolve the tablet in about one-half cup of apple juice, orange juice, or water. If you take more than 1000 milligrams daily, dissolve the tablet in about 1 cup of apple juice, orange juice, or water. While using Desirox, you may need frequent blood tests. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be checked every 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 dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Desirox?

Do not use other iron-chelating medicines such as deferoxamine (Desferal), unless your doctor has told you to. While you are taking Desirox, do not take antacids that contain aluminum, such as Amphojel, Gaviscon, Maalox, Mi-Acid, Mylanta, Rulox, and others. Desirox may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Desirox side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Desirox: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Desirox and call your doctor at once if you have: problems with vision or hearing; kidney problems - urinating more or less than usual; painful or difficult urination; swelling in your feet or ankles; weakness, bone pain; feeling tired or short of breath; liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; low blood cell counts - fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, swollen gums, mouth sores, skin sores, rapid heart rate, pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, feeling light-headed; or severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling. Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults. Common Desirox side effects may include: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; diarrhea; or skin rash.

What other drugs will affect Desirox?

Many other medicines can increase or decrease the effects of Desirox. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: repaglinide, rifampin, ritonavir, theophylline; cholesterol-lowering medicine - cholestyramine, colestipol, colesevelam; a blood thinner - warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; osteoporosis medicine - alendronate (Fosamax), risedronate (Actonel), and others; seizure medicine - carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin; or steroid medicine - prednisone, methylprednisolone, and others.