title: Deferasirox : a review of its use in the management of transfusional chronic iron overload.
abstract: Deferasirox (Exjade) is an oral, once-daily iron chelator widely approved for the treatment of transfusional chronic iron overload. In the EU, deferasirox is indicated in patients with beta-thalassaemia major aged > or =6 years and, in the US, in all transfusional chronic iron overload patients aged > or =2 years. Deferasirox is highly selective for iron as Fe3+. In approximately 1-year clinical trials of patients with transfusional chronic iron overload associated with beta-thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, myelodysplastic syndrome or other rare chronic anaemias, deferasirox 20 or 30 mg/kg/day had a beneficial effect on liver iron concentrations (LIC) and serum ferritin levels; tolerability issues were clinically manageable with regular patient monitoring. Although longer-term efficacy and tolerability data are required, in particular examining the prevention of iron overload-related complications and the effect of deferasirox on renal function, deferasirox is an easily administered iron chelator and is a valuable option in the management of transfusional chronic iron overload.
authors.affiliation: Wolters Kluwer Health | Adis, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
authors.forename: Lily P H
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Keam
authors.forename: Gillian M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Keating
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001565:Benzoates / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics; D002908:Chronic Disease; D000077588:Deferasirox; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014230:Triazoles / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001565:Benzoates; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D014230:Triazoles; D007501:Iron; D000077588:Deferasirox