Deferiprone

openFDA label record#

This page contains supplementary openFDA label data. For the canonical label presentation, use the corresponding DailyMed Structured Product Label.

Verified complete openFDA source JSON (canonical bytes are SHA-256 checked before publication)

Brand name
Deferiprone
Generic name
DEFERIPRONE
Manufacturer
AvKARE
Product type
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
SPL set ID
58dd1370-5042-833f-e063-6394a90a0777
SPL ID
58dd1379-c90d-d871-e063-6294a90a174c
Version
1
Effective date
2026-08-12
Source export date
2026-09-28
Source partition
4
Source file
https://download.open.fda.gov/drug/label/drug-label-0004-of-0014.json.zip
Source object key
raw/openfda/drug-label/2026-09-28/c7ca0b7091cdaeab3f27713a6eef00adcf8fe722383633ddce61531b4c840544/drug-label-0004-of-0014.json.zip
Source manifest SHA-256
cd2e66336a5cd2223fa3995098fdbdb84c6a7ee5c0a4addb236ccb22dd1e6887
Import run
20260929T050834Z
Imported at
2026-09-29 05:27:05
Harmonized routes table
Harmonized routes
ORAL

Boxed warning cross-check#

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boxed warning

WARNING: AGRANULOCYTOSIS AND NEUTROPENIA Deferiprone can cause agranulocytosis that can lead to serious infections and death. Neutropenia may precede the development of agranulocytosis. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Measure the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) before starting deferiprone therapy and monitor regularly while on therapy. Interrupt deferiprone therapy if neutropenia develops. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Interrupt deferiprone if infection develops, and monitor the ANC more frequently. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Advise patients taking deferiprone to report immediately any symptoms indicative of infection. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] WARNING: AGRANULOCYTOSIS AND NEUTROPENIA See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Deferiprone can cause agranulocytosis that can lead to serious infections and death. Neutropenia may precede the development of agranulocytosis. ( 5.1 ) Measure the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) before starting deferiprone and monitor regularly while on therapy. ( 5.1 ) Interrupt deferiprone therapy if neutropenia develops. ( 5.1 ) Interrupt deferiprone if infection develops and monitor the ANC more frequently. ( 5.1 ) Advise patients taking deferiprone to report immediately any symptoms indicative of infection. ( 5.1 )

Warnings cross-check#

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warnings and cautions

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Liver Enzyme Elevations: Monitor monthly and discontinue for persistent elevations. ( 5.2 ) Zinc Deficiency: Monitor during therapy and supplement for deficiency. ( 5.3 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Can cause fetal harm. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Agranulocytosis and Neutropenia Fatal agranulocytosis can occur with deferiprone use. Deferiprone can also cause neutropenia, which may foreshadow agranulocytosis. Measure the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) before starting deferiprone therapy and monitor it regularly while on therapy [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . Reduction in the frequency of ANC monitoring should be considered on an individual patient basis, according to the health care provider's assessment of the patient's understanding of the risk minimization measures required during therapy. Interrupt deferiprone therapy if neutropenia develops (ANC < 1.5 × 10 9 /L). Interrupt deferiprone if infection develops and monitor the ANC frequently. Advise patients taking deferiprone to immediately interrupt therapy and report to their physician if they experience any symptoms indicative of infection. The incidence of agranulocytosis was 1% of patients in pooled clinical trials of 642 patients with thalassemia syndromes. The mechanism of deferiprone-associated agranulocytosis is unknown. Agranulocytosis and neutropenia usually resolve upon discontinuation of deferiprone, but there have been reports of agranulocytosis leading to death. Implement a plan to monitor for and to manage agranulocytosis and neutropenia prior to initiating deferiprone treatment. For agranulocytosis (ANC < 0.2 × 10 9 /L) and severe neutropenia (0.2 x 10 9 /L ≤ ANC < 0.5 x 10 9 /L): Consider hospitalization and other management as clinically appropriate. Do not resume deferiprone in patients who have developed agranulocytosis unless potential benefits outweigh potential risks. Do not rechallenge patients who have developed neutropenia with deferiprone unless potential benefits outweigh potential risks. For neutropenia (ANC < 1.5 × 10 9 /L and ≥ 0.5 × 10 9 /L): Instruct the patient to immediately discontinue deferiprone and all other medications with a potential to cause neutropenia. Obtain a complete blood cell (CBC) count, including a white blood cell (WBC) count corrected for the presence of nucleated red blood cells, an absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and a platelet count daily until recovery (ANC ≥ 1.5 × 10 9 /L). 5.2 Liver Enzyme Elevations In pooled clinical trials, 7.5% of 642 patients with thalassemia syndromes treated with deferiprone developed increased ALT values. Four (0.62%) deferiprone-treated subjects discontinued the drug due to increased serum ALT levels and 1 (0.16%) due to an increase in both ALT and AST. Monitor serum ALT values monthly during therapy with deferiprone and consider interruption of therapy if there is a persistent increase in the serum transaminase levels [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ] . 5.3 Zinc Deficiency Decreased plasma zinc concentrations have been observed on deferiprone therapy. Monitor plasma zinc annually, and supplement in the event of a deficiency [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) ]. 5.4 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on findings from animal reproduction studies and evidence of genotoxicity, deferiprone can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. The available data on the use of deferiprone in pregnant women are insufficient to inform risk. In animal studies, administration of deferiprone during the period of organogenesis resulted in embryo-fetal death and malformations at doses lower than equivalent human clinical doses. Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to the fetus [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Advise females of reproductive potential to use an effective method of contraception during treatment with deferiprone and for at least six months after the last dose. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with deferiprone and for at least three months after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ].

Adverse reactions cross-check#

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adverse reactions

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Agranulocytosis and Neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Liver Enzyme Elevations [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Zinc Deficiency [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] The most common adverse reactions in patients with thalassemia (incidence > 6%) are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, arthralgia, ALT increased and neutropenia. (5.1, 6) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AvKARE at 1-855-361-3993 or go to www.avkare.com or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The following adverse reaction information represents the pooled data collected from single arm or active-controlled clinical trials with deferiprone tablets (three times a day). Thalassemia Syndromes The safety of deferiprone was evaluated in the pooled clinical trial database [see Clinical Studies (14.1)] . Patients received deferiprone tablets (three times a day). Deferiprone was administered orally three times a day (total daily dose either 50, 75, or 99 mg/kg), N=642. Among 642 patients receiving deferiprone, 492 (76.6%) were exposed for 6 months or longer and 365 (56.9%) were exposed for greater than one year. The median age of patients who received deferiprone was 19 years (range 1, 77 years); 50.2% female; 71.2% White, 17.8% Asian, 9.2% Unknown, 1.2% Multi-racial and 0.6% Black. The most serious adverse reaction reported in clinical trials with deferiprone was agranulocytosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . The most common adverse reactions (≥6%) reported during clinical trials were nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, arthralgia, alanine aminotransferase increased and neutropenia. The table below lists the adverse drug reactions that occurred in at least 1% of patients treated with deferiprone in clinical trials in patients with thalassemia syndromes. Table 7: Adverse reactions occurring in ≥ 1% of deferiprone-treated patients with thalassemia syndromes Body System (N=642) Adverse Reaction % Patients BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM DISORDERS Neutropenia* 7 Agranulocytosis † 1 GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS Nausea 13 Abdominal pain/discomfort 10 Vomiting 10 Diarrhea 3 Dyspepsia 2 INVESTIGATIONS Alanine aminotransferase increased 7 Weight increased 2 Aspartate aminotransferase increased 1 METABOLISM AND NUTRITION DISORDERS Increased appetite 4 Decreased appetite 1 MUSCULOSKELETAL AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS Arthralgia 10 Back pain 2 Pain in extremity 2 Arthropathy 1 NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS Headache 2 *Neutropenia includes events of severe neutropenia (ANC ≥0.2 x 10 9 /L and <0.5 x 10 9 /L). †Agranulocytosis (ANC< 0.2 x 10 9 /L) Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain were the most frequent adverse reactions reported by patients participating in clinical trials and led to the discontinuation of deferiprone therapy in 1.6% of patients. Chromaturia (reddish/brown discoloration of the urine) is a result of the excretion of iron in the urine. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following additional adverse reactions have been reported in patients receiving deferiprone. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Blood and lymphatic system disorders: thrombocytosis, pancytopenia. Cardiac disorders: atrial fibrillation, cardiac failure. Congenital, familial and genetic disorders: hypospadias. Eye disorders: diplopia, papilledema, retinal toxicity. Gastrointestinal disorders: enterocolitis, rectal hemorrhage, gastric ulcer, pancreatitis, parotid gland enlargement. General disorders and administration site conditions: chills, edema peripheral, multi-organ failure. Hepatobiliary disorders: jaundice, hepatomegaly. Immune system disorders: anaphylactic shock, hypersensitivity. Infections and infestations: cryptococcal cutaneous infection, enteroviral encephalitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, sepsis, furuncle, infectious hepatitis, rash pustular, subcutaneous abscess. Investigations: blood bilirubin increased, blood creatinine phosphokinase increased. Metabolism and nutrition disorders: metabolic acidosis, dehydration. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: myositis, chondropathy, trismus. Nervous system disorders: cerebellar syndrome, cerebral hemorrhage, convulsion, gait disturbance, intracranial pressure increased, psychomotor skills impaired, pyramidal tract syndrome, somnolence. Psychiatric disorders: bruxism, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder. Renal disorders: glycosuria, hemoglobinuria. Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: acute respiratory distress syndrome, epistaxis, hemoptysis, pulmonary embolism. Skin, subcutaneous tissue disorders: hyperhidrosis, periorbital edema, photosensitivity reaction, pruritis, urticaria, rash, Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Vascular disorders: hypotension, hypertension.

adverse reactions table

<table width="90%" ID="table7"><caption>Table 7: Adverse reactions occurring in &#x2265; 1% of deferiprone-treated patients with thalassemia syndromes</caption><col align="left" valign="top" width="70%"/><col align="left" valign="top" width="30%"/><thead><tr><th styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Body System</th><th styleCode="Rrule">(N=642)</th></tr><tr><th styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Adverse Reaction</th><th styleCode="Rrule">% Patients</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM DISORDERS</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Neutropenia*</td><td styleCode="Rrule">7</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Agranulocytosis <sup>&#x2020;</sup></td><td styleCode="Rrule">1</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Nausea</td><td styleCode="Rrule">13</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Abdominal pain/discomfort</td><td styleCode="Rrule">10</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Vomiting</td><td styleCode="Rrule">10</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Diarrhea</td><td styleCode="Rrule">3</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Dyspepsia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">INVESTIGATIONS</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Alanine aminotransferase increased</td><td styleCode="Rrule">7</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Weight increased</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Aspartate aminotransferase increased</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">METABOLISM AND NUTRITION DISORDERS</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Increased appetite</td><td styleCode="Rrule">4</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Decreased appetite</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">MUSCULOSKELETAL AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISORDERS</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Arthralgia</td><td styleCode="Rrule">10</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Back pain</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Pain in extremity</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2</td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Arthropathy</td><td styleCode="Rrule">1</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" styleCode="Lrule Rrule"><content styleCode="bold">NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS</content></td></tr><tr><td styleCode="Lrule Rrule">Headache</td><td styleCode="Rrule">2</td></tr></tbody></table>

Reported adverse events (FAERS/openFDA)#

Adverse event summaries are temporarily unavailable. Other product information remains available.