Deferasirox granules

What is this medicine?

DEFERASIROX (de FER a sir ox) binds to iron in the blood. It helps to treat too much iron in the blood.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this medicine may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• changes in vision

• decreased hearing

• fever or chills, sore throat

• fever with rash, swollen lymph nodes, or swelling of the face

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of skin, including inside the mouth

• signs and symptoms of bleeding such as bloody or black, tarry stools; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• unusual bleeding or bruising

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea

• nausea, vomiting

• stomach pain

• trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• dasabuvir; ombitasvir, paritaprevir; ritonavir

• iron supplements

• ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antacids

• birth control pills

• certain medicines for cholesterol like cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol, simvastatin

• certain medicines for osteoporosis like alendronate, risedronate

• certain medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, phenytoin

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

• conivaptan

• cyclosporine

• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

• paclitaxel

• repaglinide

• rifampin

• ritonavir

• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

• theophylline

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• cancer

• eye disease, vision problems

• hearing problems

• history of blood diseases

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts

• an unusual or allergic reaction to deferasirox, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Your vision and blood may be tested before and during use of this medicine.

If you get black, tarry stools or vomit up what looks like coffee grounds, call your doctor or health care professional right away. You may have a bleeding ulcer.