- 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 |