Product Information
Registration Status: ActiveFERRIPROX FILM-COATED TABLET 500mg is approved to be sold in Singapore with effective from 2002-09-25. It is marketed by PHARMAFORTE SINGAPORE PTE LTD, with the registration number of SIN12083P.
This product contains Deferiprone 500mg in the form of TABLET, FILM-COATED. It is approved for ORAL use.
This product is manufactured by APOTEX INC in CANADA.
It is a Prescription Only Medicine that can only be obtained from a doctor or a dentist, or a pharmacist with a prescription from a Singapore-registered doctor or dentist.
Description
Deferiprone is an oral iron chelator used as a second line agent in thalassemia syndromes when iron overload from blood transfusions occurs. Thalassemias are a type of hereditary anaemia due a defect in the production of hemoglobin. As a result, erythropoiesis, the production of new red blood cells, is impaired. FDA approved on October 14, 2011.
Indication
Deferiprone is indicated in thalassemia syndromes when first line chelation agents are not adequate to treat transfusional iron overload.
Mechanism of Action
Deferiprone is an iron chelator that binds to ferric ions (iron III) and forms a 3:1 (deferiprone:iron) stable complex and is then eliminated in the urine. Deferiprone is more selective for iron in which other metals such as zinc, copper, and aluminum have a lower affinity for deferiprone.
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Deferiprone is absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Absorption is rapid with maximum plasma concentrations occurring after 1 hour in the fasted state and after 2 hours in the fed state.
- Distribution
- In healthy patients, the volume of distribution is 1L/kg, and in thalassemia patients, the volume of distribution is 1.6L/kg.
- Metabolism
- Deferiprone is mainly metabolized by UGT1A6 to the 3-O-glucuronide metabolite. This metabolite cannot chelate iron.
- Elimination
Toxicity
Agranulocytosis and neutropenia may occur, which can lead to fatal infections. Hepatoxicity is also possible. Most common side effects that lead to discontinuation of therapy were the gastrointestinal adverse effects (diarrhea, ulcer, nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances)
Active Ingredient/Synonyms
1,2-Dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one | 3-Hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridone | APO-066 | Deferipron | Deferiprona | Défériprone | Deferiproni | Deferipronum | Deferypron | Dimethylhydroxypyridone | PL-1 | Deferiprone |
Source of information: Drugbank (External Link). Last updated on: 3rd July 18. *Trade Name used in the content below may not be the same as the HSA-registered product.