SideEffects.com

Deferasirox (marketed as Exjade)

What Is Exjade?

Exjade is a medicine used to treat chronic iron overload caused by blood transfusions in patients 2 years of age and older.

Who Should Not Be Treated With Exjade?

You should not be given Exjade if you are allergic to anything in it.

What Are The Risks?

The following are the major potential risks and side effects of Exjade therapy. However, this list is not complete.

The following are the major possible risks and side effects of Exjade therapy:

* Kidney Problems. Exjade may increase blood serum creatinine (a kidney marker) and protein in the urine. Your healthcare professional should monitor you for kidney problems.

* Liver Problems. Liver problems include hepatitis and changes in blood liver function tests. Your healthcare professional should monitor for liver problems.

* Ear and Eye Problems. Ear problems include hearing loss and decreased hearing Eye problems include lens opacities, cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, and retina disorders that can cause changes in your eyesight. You should have ear and eye testing done before you start Exjade treatment and at regular times while you are taking this medicine.

* Skin Rashes. These rashes often go away by themselves. Your healthcare professional may also decide to lower your dose or stop treatment if the rash is severe.

* Some common side effects that may occur with Exjade include:
o stomach area pain
o nausea
o vomiting
o diarrhea
o skin rash
o fever
o headache
o cough
o increased blood serum creatinine

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Professional?

Before you start taking Exjade, tell your healthcare professional if you:

* have or had kidney problems
* have or had liver problems
* Take aluminum-containing actacids
* are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding
* are allergic to Exjade or to any of the ingredients in Exjade


Can Other Medicines Or Food Affect Exjade?

Exjade and certain other medicines may interact with each other. Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare professional.

Especially tell your healthcare professional if you take:

*

Aluminum-containing antacids. These may affect how Exjade works.

How Should I Take Exjade?

* Take Exjade once a day by mouth on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating.
* Take Exjade at the same time every day.
* Do not swallow or chew Exjade tablets. You must completely dissolve the tablets in water, orange juice, or apple juice, and then drink the mixture right away. If there is any remaining mixture left in the glass, add a small amount of liquid you dissolved the tablets in, mix, and swallow again.

---

©2009 - a SafetyNet Systems Ltd/JoinIn.com network site. E & Oe.