Deferasirox (marketed as Exjade) is a rationally-designed^[1] oral iron chelator. Its main use is to reduce chronic iron overload in patients who are receiving long-term blood transfusions for conditions such as beta-thalassemia and other chronic anemias.^[1][2] It is the first oral medication approved in the USA for this purpose.^[3]

It was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2005.^[1][3] According to FDA (May 2007), renal failure and cytopenias have been reported in patients receiving deferasirox oral suspension tablets

Properties of deferasirox

Two deferasirox molecules binding iron

References