Exjade (Deferasirox)

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Exjade 125mg

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Manufactured by: Novartis
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Exjade 125mg
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Novartis
Top Brand Choice
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Exjade 250mg

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: Novartis
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Exjade 250mg
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Novartis
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Exjade 500mg

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Manufactured by: Novartis
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Exjade 500mg
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Exjade (Deferasirox) Dosage and Side Effects

EXJADE binds to iron and removes it from the blood stream. EXJADE is used to treat iron overload caused by blood transfusions in adults and children at least 2 years old. EXJADE is also used to treat chronic iron overload syndrome caused by a genetic blood disorder in adults and children who are at least 10 years old.

Proper Use of this medication

Always take EXJADE exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Usual dose:

For patients receiving regular blood transfusion:

  • Initial dose: 10 mg, or 20 mg, or 30 mg per kg body weight daily.

  • Maximum dose: 30 mg per kg body weight daily.

For patients with thalassemia syndromes who do not require regular blood transfusions:

  • Initial dose: 10 mg per body weight daily.

  • Maximum dose: 20 mg per kg body weight daily.

The daily dose will be adjusted depending on how you respond to the treatment.

When to take EXJADE:

  • Take EXJADE once a day, every day, at about the same time each day;

  • Must be taken on an empty stomach;

  • Then wait at least 30 minutes before eating the first meal of the day.

How to take EXJADE:

  • Drop the tablet(s) into a glass of water, orange or apple juice (100 mL for doses of less than 1 g, and 200 mL for doses of 1 g or more).

  • Stir until the tablet(s) dissolve completely. The liquid in the glass will look cloudy.

  • Drink everything in the glass. Then add a little water or juice to what is left in the glass and drink that too.

Do not dissolve the tablets in fizzy drinks or milk.

Do not chew, break or crush the tablets. Do not swallow the tablets whole.

Overdose:

If you have taken too much EXJADE, or if someone else accidentally takes your tablets, contact your doctor or go to the hospital or contact your local poison control centre. Show them the blister package of tablets. Medical treatment may be necessary.

Missed dose:

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on that day. Take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose on the next day to make up for the forgotten dose. Do not take more than one dose on the same day.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, EXJADE can cause side effects.

Some side effects are common.

These side effects may affect between 1 and 10 in every 100 patients.

  • Gastrointestinal disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, bloating, constipation, indigestion

  • Severe rash/skin disorders

  • Headache

Other side effects are uncommon.

These side effects may affect less than 1 in every 100 patients.

  • Dizziness

  • Fever

  • Sore throat

  • Swelling of arms or legs

  • Change in the colour of the skin

  • Anxiety

  • Sleep disorder

  • Tiredness

  • Hearing loss

  • Vision change (early cataracts)

  • Ulcer and/or bleeding in the stomach or intestine

  • Liver disorders

  • Traces of blood and/or protein in the urine

  • Hair loss

You will have some blood tests while taking EXJADE. Your doctor will look for any changes in kidney function, liver function or in blood cell counts.

Your doctor may also want to test your eyesight and hearing while you are taking EXJADE.

For any unexpected effects while taking EXJADE contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and Precautions

Serious Warnings and Precautions

EXJADE should be prescribed by doctor experienced in the treatment of chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions.

EXJADE has not been studied in patients with severe kidney and liver problems (impairment).

Serious adverse events with the use of EXJADE include:

  • acute kidney failure

  • liver failure

  • ulcer or bleeding in the stomach or intestines

BEFORE you use EXJADE talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

  • severe heart problems (acute cardiac failure)

  • ulcer or bleeding in the stomach or intestines

  • liver or kidney problems

  • severe intolerance to lactose (milk sugars). EXJADE tablets contain lactose

  • visual (eye) problems

  • hearing problems

  • blood disorders (a low level of platelets or white blood cell count)

  • skin problem.

During treatment with EXJADE, talk to your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you have:

  • Rash, skin reddening, pain, swelling or blistering of lips, eyes or mouth, skin peeling and flu-like symptoms. If you get these symptoms, your doctor may stop your treatment.

Older people (age 65 years and over):

Elderly patients may experience more side effects than younger patients. They should be monitored closely by their doctor for side effects that may require a dose adjustment.

Children and adolescents (age 2 years to 16 years):

Their growth and development need to be monitored during treatment with EXJADE.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding:

EXJADE is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. If you are pregnant or think that you may be, tell your doctor. EXJADE may decrease the effect of hormonal contraceptives, and you may be at risk of getting pregnant if you are taking a hormonal contraceptive.

Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with EXJADE.

Driving and using machines:

If you feel dizzy after taking EXJADE, do not drive or operate any tools or machines until you are feeling normal again.

You should receive regular blood and urine tests before and during treatment with EXJADE. You may also be assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These will monitor the amount of iron in your body (level of ferritin) to see how well EXJADE is working. The tests will also monitor your kidney function (blood level of creatinine, presence of protein in the urine) and liver function (blood level of transaminases, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase). Your doctor will take these tests into consideration when deciding on the dose of EXJADE most suitable for you and will also use these tests to decide when you should stop taking EXJADE.

Your eyesight and hearing will also be tested before and periodically during treatment as a precautionary measure.

Interactions with this medication

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including non-prescription drugs (obtained without a prescription), vitamins and natural products. Some medicines may interact with EXJADE.

  • Antacids (medicines used to treat heartburn) containing aluminum should not be taken at the same time of day as EXJADE.

  • Other iron chelating agents should not be taken while on treatment with EXJADE, as the safety and efficacy of a combination with EXJADE has not been established.

In particular tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

  • cyclosporine (used in transplantation to prevent graft rejection or for any other condition)

  • simvastatin (used to lower cholesterol)

  • hormonal contraceptive agents (birth control medicines)

  • certain painkillers or anti-inflammatory medicines (e.g. acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, corticosteroids)

  • oral bisphosphonates (used to treat osteoporosis)

  • anticoagulant medicines (used to prevent or treat blood clotting)

  • repaglinide (used to treat diabetes)

  • rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)

  • paclitaxel (used in cancer treatment)

  • phenytoin, phenobarbital (used to treat epilepsy)

  • ritonavir (used in the treatment of HIV infection)

  • cholestyramine (used mainly to lower cholesterol)

  • theophylline (used to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma)

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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