Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Ferriprox (Deferiprone). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Ferriprox (Deferiprone) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Ferriprox (Deferiprone). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• appetite changes
• headache
• nausea
• reddish-brown urine colour
• vomiting
• weight gain

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• coordination difficulties
• double vision
• joint, arm, leg, or back pain
• muscle spasms
• tremors

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of severe infection (symptoms may include Fever or chills, severe Diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Ferriprox (Deferiprone).

Tablet

500 mg
Each white-to-off-white, capsule-shaped tablet, scored and engraved with "APO" score "500" on one side and plain on the other, contains 500 mg of Ferriprox (Deferiprone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose (M102); coating: hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (2910), polyethylene glycol (3350), and titanium dioxide.

1000 mg
Each white-to-off-white, capsule-shaped tablet, scored and engraved with "APO" score "1000" on one side and plain on the other, contains 1000 mg of Ferriprox (Deferiprone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: crospovidone, magnesium stearate, and methyl cellulose (A15LV); coating: hydroxypropyl cellulose (LF), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (2910 E5), polyethylene glycol (8000), and titanium dioxide.

Oral solution

100 mg/mL
Each mL of clear, reddish-orange-coloured liquid contains 100 mg of Ferriprox (Deferiprone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: artificial cherry flavor, glycerol, Sunset Yellow FCF, hydrochloric acid, hydroxyethyl cellulose (Type H Pharm), peppermint oil, purified water, and sucralose.

Do not take Ferriprox (Deferiprone) if you:

• are allergic to Ferriprox (Deferiprone) or any ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant
• are breastfeeding
• have a very low number of white blood cells

There may be an interaction between Ferriprox (Deferiprone) and any of the following:

• Aldesleukin
• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• calcium supplements (e.g., calcium carbonate, calcium citrate)
• anticancer medications (e.g., azacitidine, Busulfan, Capecitabine, Carboplatin, Cytarabine, Doxorubicin, Etoposide, Ifosfamide, Vincristine)
• Carbamazepine
• certain biologics (e.g., alemtuzumab, Bevacizumab, blinatumomab, Obinutuzumab, Rituximab)
• dexrazoxane
• Diclofenac
• Eltrombopag
• Everolimus
• Hydroxyurea
• interferon
• iron supplements (e.g., ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate)
• Linezolid
• magnesium supplements
• Methimazole
• Methotrexate
• milk thistle
• multivitamins with minerals
• Propylthiouracil
• certain protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Bosutinib, Dasatinib, Idelalisib, imatinib, Nilotinib, Tofacitinib)
• Romidepsin
• selenium
• Sirolimus
• Sucralfate
• Tacrolimus
• Thioguanine
• Vorinostat
• zidovudine
• zinc supplements

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Ferriprox (Deferiprone). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Ferriprox (Deferiprone).

Infection: Ferriprox (Deferiprone) can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.

Liver function: Ferriprox (Deferiprone) may have an effect on your liver function, causing abnormal liver test results. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Ferriprox (Deferiprone). Usually, this means that reduced liver function can be identified before it becomes too severe. This is particularly important if you have liver problems, such as Hepatitis C.

Neurological problems: Ferriprox (Deferiprone) may cause symptoms related to the nervous system. Vision changes, abnormal movements, and loss of muscle tone have been reported in children taking Ferriprox (Deferiprone). If you observe any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy: Ferriprox (Deferiprone) may cause harm to the developing baby if it is taken by the mother during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Ferriprox (Deferiprone), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Ferriprox (Deferiprone) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Ferriprox (Deferiprone), it may affect your baby. Breast-feeding is not recommended if you are taking Ferriprox (Deferiprone).