Deferasirox

This information from Lexicomp^® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Exjade; Jadenu; Jadenu Sprinkle

Brand Names: Canada

APO-Deferasirox; Exjade; Jadenu; PMS-Deferasirox; PMS-Deferasirox (TYPE J); SANDOZ Deferasirox; Sandoz Deferasirox (Type J); TARO-Deferasirox; TARO-Deferasirox (Type J); TEVA-Deferasirox [DSC]

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to get rid of iron when too much is in the body.

What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?

• If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
• If your child has any of these health problems: Cancer, certain blood or bone marrow problems (low platelets, high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome/MDS), kidney disease, or liver disease.
• If your child has not been able to eat or drink like normal, has diarrhea, is throwing up, or gets another illness that can cause dehydration.
• If your child is using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
• If your child is taking any of these drugs: Cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampicin, ritonavir, theophylline, or tizanidine.

If your child is breast-feeding a baby:

• Be sure your child does not breast-feed a baby while taking this drug.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?

• Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
• Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked, eye exams, and hearing test as you have been told by the doctor.
• Do not give your child antacids that have aluminum in them with this drug.
• This drug may lower the ability of your child’s bone marrow to make blood cells that your child’s body needs. This can lead to very bad and sometimes deadly bleeding problems or infections. Talk with your child’s doctor.
• If the patient is a child, use this drug with care. The risk of some side effects may be higher in children.
• If giving this drug to your child and your child’s weight changes, talk with the doctor. The dose of this drug may need to be changed.

If your child is or may be sexually active:

• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Be sure your child uses some other kind of birth control also, like a condom, when taking this drug.

If your child is pregnant:

• Tell the doctor if your child is pregnant or becomes pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of your child using this drug while pregnant.

What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Signs of bowel problems like black, tarry, or bloody stools; fever; mucus in the stools; throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds; or very bad stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Feeling very tired or weak.
• Change in hearing.
• Hearing loss.
• Change in eyesight.
• Chest pain or pressure, a fast heartbeat, or passing out.
• Flu-like signs.
• Rashes may happen with this drug. This drug may need to be stopped for some types of rashes. If your child gets a rash while taking this drug, call your child’s doctor right away to find out what to do.
• Severe skin reactions may happen with this drug. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious reactions. Sometimes, body organs may also be affected. These reactions can be deadly. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or any areas of skin; fever; chills; body aches; shortness of breath; or swollen glands.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:

• Diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, or throwing up.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best given?

Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Tablets for suspension:

• Give on an empty stomach. Give 30 minutes before a meal.
• Mix the tablet with fruit juice (orange, apple) or water until dissolved and have your child drink right away. Do not let your child chew or swallow it whole.
• After drinking, rinse the rest of the drug in the glass with more juice or water and have your child drink.
• Give this drug at the same time of day.
• Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.

Tablets:

• Give on an empty stomach or with a light meal.
• Give this drug by mouth with water or other liquid.
• If your child cannot swallow tablets, the tablet may be crushed and added to a small amount of soft food. Give the mixture right away. Do not store for future use.
• The 90 mg tablet must not be crushed using certain types of tablet crushers. If you will be crushing the 90 mg tablet, talk with the doctor or pharmacist.
• Give this drug at the same time of day.
• Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.

Granules:

• Give on an empty stomach or with a light meal.
• Sprinkle the granules onto a small amount of soft food like yogurt or applesauce.
• Have your child swallow the mixture right away. Do not store for use at a later time.
• Give this drug at the same time of day.
• Keep giving this drug to your child as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child feels well.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

• If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
• Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2023-12-22

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