• Chronic iron overload caused by blood transfusion:
    • Adult and >2 years: PO 20-30mg/kg OD. Max 40mg/kg/day
    • May increase by 5-10mg every 3-6 months based on serum ferritin
    • If not controlled on 30mg/kg/day, may increase up to 40mg/kg OD
    • Hold treatment if serum ferritin levels <500 mcg/L
  • Chronic non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia-associated iron overload:
    • Adult and >2 years: Initially PO 10-20mg/kg OD. Max 20mg/kg/day
    • Adjust dose according to serum ferritin levels and liver iron concentration
    • Hold treatment if serum ferritin levels <300mcg/L and/or liver iron concentration <3mg Fe/g dry weight

Dispersible tablet:

  • 100mg
  • 250mg
  • 400mg
  • Do not chew tablet but dissolve in 100ml (<1g) or 200ml (>7g) of water, orange or apple juice
  • Take once daily on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before food, preferably at the same time each day

It chelates trivalent iron promoting fecal iron excretion

  • Elevated Cr
  • Abdominal pain
  • Intermittent proteinuria
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea & vomiting
  • Rash
  • Elevated ALT
  • Elevated IOP
  • Hypersensitivity to class/components
  • Plt <50,000
  • eGFR <40
  • High risk myelodysplastic syndrome
  • Advanced malignancy
  • Hepatic impairment

WARNING:
Can cause acute renal failure, hepatic failure and GI hemorrhage which are fatal

  • Cidofovir

                          Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category C
Breastfeeding Not recommended
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Asunra 100mg Orodispersible tablet 30’s Novartis Pharma Novartis Kenya
Asunra 400mg Orodispersible tablet 30’s Novartis Pharma Novartis Kenya