Deferiprone binds to iron and removes it from the bloodstream.

Deferiprone is used to treat iron overload caused by blood transfusions in people with certain hereditary red blood cell disorders (thalassemia syndrome).

Deferiprone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use deferiprone if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease; or
• a weak immune system.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy.

• If you are a woman, you may need to have a negative pregnancy test before starting this treatment. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose.
• If you are a man, use effective birth control if your sex partner is able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is using deferiprone.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.

Deferiprone is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Use Deferiprone Three-Times-A-Day (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with deferiprone. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

• fever, chills, body aches;
• flu symptoms;
• skin sores; or
• sores in your mouth and throat.

Further doses may be delayed until your infection clears up.

Deferiprone may cause your urine to turn a reddish-brown color. This side effect is usually not harmful. Call your doctor if you also have upper stomach pain, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• infections;
• joint pain; or
• abnormal liver function tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Do not use other iron chelating medicines such as deferasirox (Exjade) or deferoxamine (Desferal), unless your doctor has told you to.