Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Calculators Drugs Pathways AI Dx Donate Get the App
Oral iron chelator

Deferiprone

Brand names: Ferriprox

Deferiprone is an orally administered iron-chelating agent used for transfusional iron overload, often in thalassaemia, particularly where other chelators are inadequate or contraindicated.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is a bidentate chelator that binds iron and promotes its urinary excretion, and it can access iron in tissues such as the myocardium.

Prescribing in practice

  • Can cause agranulocytosis and neutropenia, which may be life-threatening, so the neutrophil count must be monitored and treatment interrupted if neutropenia develops.
  • Patients must be told to report any signs of infection such as fever or sore throat immediately so blood counts can be checked.
  • Use with caution alongside other medicines that may cause neutropenia or agranulocytosis.

Monitoring

Monitor the full blood count, especially the neutrophil count, regularly throughout treatment, together with serum ferritin and liver function.

Counselling the patient

  • Seek urgent medical advice and a blood count if you develop fever, sore throat or other signs of infection.
  • The medicine may cause a reddish-brown discolouration of the urine, which is harmless.

Evidence & guidelines

The risk of agranulocytosis with deferiprone is well established and reflected in MHRA and product safety guidance.

Reference: BSH iron overload; NICE TA161; MHRA Drug Safety Update; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators
Drugs
Pathways