Exjade

Deferasirox

Exjade is medication used to treat chronic iron overload caused by blood transfusions in patients aged 2 and older.

Some common side effects patients may experience while taking Exjade are:

• stomach area pain
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• skin rash
• fever
• headache
• cough
• increased blood serum creatinine

Some of the more serious risks and side effects patients may experience while taking Exjade are:

• Kidney Problems.
• Liver Problems.
• Ear and Eye Problems.
• Skin Rashes.

Before patients begin using Exjade, they should discuss it with healthcare professionals. Patients should tell doctors if they:

• 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

Patients using Exjade should not swallow or chew tablets; they should completely dissolve the tablets in water or orange or apple juice, and immediately drink the mixture. If any amount of mixture is left remaining in the glass, patients should add a small amount of the same liquid, wait for it to dissolve and swallow again.

Patients should also take the medication once a day at the same time every day by mouth on empty stomachs at least 30 minutes before eating.

Source: “Patient Information Sheet - Deferasirox,” Food and Drug Administration, April 19, 2006.