Description
Description
This medication is prescribed to treat iron overload disorder (hemochromatosis). This is a condition in which the body absorbs excessive amounts of iron in patients who are receiving regular blood transfusions for chronic anemias. Iron overload can also come from the foods and beverages consumed.
What is Exjade used for?
- This medication is used to treat hemochromatosis.
- This drug binds excess iron in your bloodstream and excretes it as waste from your body.
- This medication is also used to treat chronic iron overload syndrome caused by a genetic blood condition (non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia) in adults and children over the age of 10
Exjade Dosage
Dosing Forms & Strengths
- Exjade 125 mgt
- Exjade 250 mg
- Exjade 500 mg
Exjade for Hemochromatosis
This medication contains deferasirox, a chemical that through chelation treatment, decreases excess iron in the body. The medicine binds to the iron atoms and excretes them in the urine or stool. Hemochromatosis may be genetic; having only one gene mutation from a parent implies you will be a carrier and may absorb more iron than normal, but you will not develop iron overload.
Exjade vs Jadenu
- Both medications are approved for the treatment of chronic iron overload caused by numerous blood transfusions in beta-thalassemia major patients aged 6 years and older.
- This medication and Jadenu (deferasirox) are used to treat chronic iron overload caused by blood transfusions when deferoxamine therapy is either contraindicated or insufficient.
Directions
- This should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. Read all instruction sheets and follow all guidelines on your prescription label.
- You should take this medication every day at the same time.
- It should be taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating.
- It should not be swallowed whole. Place the tablet into a glass of apple or orange juice or water and let it dissolve.
Exjade Side Effects
Possible Side Effects of this medication:
- Anxiety
- Diarrhea
- Sleeping difficulties
- Abdominal Pain
- nausea
This list does not contain all possible side effects. Your doctor can provide you with medical advice on side effects.
Caution
- If you have severe kidney or liver disease, advanced cancer, a blood cell or bone marrow tissue, or low platelet count, you should not use this drug.
- This could potentially result in stomach or intestinal hemorrhage.
- This drug has the potential to affect your liver or kidneys.
Frequently asked Questions
How safe is this medication for Exjade Sickle Cell Disease?
There is currently no information on the long-term safety and effectiveness of iron chelation therapy in transfusion-dependent SCD patients.
What is the typical process by which the body balances iron intake and loss?
Healthy persons normally consume 1 to 2 mg of iron per day and lose 1 to 2 mg per day due to normal physiologic processes. A variety of circumstances, including treatment with whole red blood cell transfusions, can upset this balance.