Exjade

Blood Transfusions, Non-transfusion Dependent Thalassemia, Iron Overload

Treatment

2 Active Studies for Exjade

What is Exjade

Deferasirox

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Deferasirox is a medication that binds to iron in the body and helps remove it. It is the first oral medication approved by the FDA for chronic iron overload in patients who have received blood transfusions over a long period of time.

Exjade

is the brand name

Exjade Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Exjade

Deferasirox

2005

112

Effectiveness

How Exjade Affects Patients

Deferasirox is a medication taken by mouth to remove iron from the body. It binds to iron molecules and helps the body get rid of them. It does not have much of an effect on zinc and copper, but it can lower their levels in the blood. It is unknown if this lowering of zinc and copper levels has any real significance.

How Exjade works in the body

Deferasirox works by binding to iron molecules in the body, forming a stable complex. This complex is then eliminated from the body through urine. Deferasirox has a strong affinity for trivalent iron, so it can bind to one iron atom with two molecules of deferasirox.

When to interrupt dosage

The measure of Exjade relies upon the recognized condition, including Iron Overload, Blood Transfusions and Non-transfusion Dependent Thalassemia. The quantity of dosage varies according to the method of delivery (e.g. Granule or Tablet, film coated) outlined in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Iron Overload

125.0 mg, , 250.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 90.0 mg, 180.0 mg, 360.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Granule, Granule - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Blood Transfusions

125.0 mg, , 250.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 90.0 mg, 180.0 mg, 360.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Granule, Granule - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Non-transfusion Dependent Thalassemia

125.0 mg, , 250.0 mg, 500.0 mg, 90.0 mg, 180.0 mg, 360.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, for suspension - Oral, Tablet, for suspension, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Granule, Granule - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Warnings

Exjade has four contraindications and therefore should not be taken if you are enduring any of the conditions in the following table.

Exjade Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Advanced Malignancies

Do Not Combine

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Do Not Combine

Poor Performance Status

Do Not Combine

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Exjade.

Common Exjade Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abemaciclib

Major

The metabolism of Abemaciclib can be increased when combined with Deferasirox.

Acalabrutinib

Major

The metabolism of Acalabrutinib can be increased when combined with Deferasirox.

Alectinib

Major

The metabolism of Alectinib can be increased when combined with Deferasirox.

Alpelisib

Major

The metabolism of Alpelisib can be increased when combined with Deferasirox.

Amiodarone

Major

The metabolism of Amiodarone can be increased when combined with Deferasirox.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Exjade Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Exjade?

Currently, there are zero active studies investigating the potential of Exjade to ameliorate Blood Transfusions, Non-transfusion Dependent Thalassemia and Iron Overload.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Blood Transfusions

3 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable

Iron Overload

0 Actively Recruiting

Non-transfusion Dependent Thalassemia

0 Actively Recruiting

Exjade Reviews: What are patients saying about Exjade?

5

Patient Review

10/5/2007

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

4.7

Patient Review

10/26/2007

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

Worked very well to bring my ferritin levels down. Easy to use, just have to remember to take it with you and use on an empty stomach. I used it before dinner, so had to make sure to take before going out to dinner or for day long outings. The only downside is the high cost.

4.7

Patient Review

5/2/2013

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

This medication really helped with my constipation.

4.3

Patient Review

12/17/2010

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I developed a severe rash after a few weeks, so I had to restart the treatment on a low dose with steroids. In addition, I take flaxseed oil and eat a higher dairy diet. My skin gets very dry, so moisturizing often is key.

4.3

Patient Review

1/22/2014

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I developed a rash and itchiness after using this treatment.

4

Patient Review

6/28/2009

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I have Sidroblastic anemia, which means I have too much iron in my blood. Defeoxamine worked well for me, but it was tough on my body. Injection site, etc. Exjade is a good alternative and doesn't require injections, which is great. However, it upsets my stomach pretty badly. I am currently taking it right before bed.

3.7

Patient Review

2/27/2012

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I've been taking this medication for six years as a result of my transfusion-dependent anemia. Zantac has helped me immensely with the stomach problems I experience as a side effect. Additionally, I find that it works better if I take it at night rather than in the morning.

3.3

Patient Review

6/8/2010

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

After using this medication for an extended period of time, I found it to be very harsh on my stomach.

3

Patient Review

2/22/2018

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I'm hopeful that this will work long-term, but I don't like having to mix it with juice. It's a bit of an unpleasant experience, especially since the flavor of the juice doesn't seem to change. After the first dose, I was in the bathroom for two hours. Here's hoping that my stomach can adjust.

3

Patient Review

12/20/2013

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I have too much iron in my blood according to this treatment. I'm a MDS patient.

3

Patient Review

5/2/2009

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

While this treatment may work for some, I unfortunately have not seen much of a change in my condition.

2.7

Patient Review

10/31/2016

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I've only been taking exjade for a month now, and it's tough on my stomach and heart.

2.3

Patient Review

2/14/2008

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I'm currently using Defeoxamine, which involves a lot of equipment and can be quite cumbersome. I was hoping Exjade would be a simpler solution.

2

Patient Review

6/28/2014

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I have MDS and severe stomach/intestinal problems that made this medication intolerable for me due to the extreme diarrhea it caused.

1

Patient Review

3/18/2010

Exjade for Too Much Iron in the Blood for a Long Period of Time

I've had to get a lot of blood transfusions for leukemia, and as a result I now have iron overload with a ferritin level of 2300. I've been taking Exjade for almost a year, but my ferritin levels keep fluctuating. They got as low as 981 but then went up again. Not only is the medication EXPENSIVE, it also gives me stomach problems. I don't know where to go from here. Are there foods that can help? I've limited my meat consumption but then I'm anemic. Help!!
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about exjade

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

How long does it take for Exjade to work?

"Deferasirox is a bivalent iron chelator that is taken orally as a tablet, once a day. It is readily absorbed and reaches peak concentration in blood after 1 to 2 hours. The half-life is 12 to 17 hours, and effective levels of active chelator are maintained in the blood for more than 24 hours."

Answered by AI

When should I take Exjade?

"You should take EXJADE once a day at around the same time. You can take it with or without food, but it might be easier on your stomach if you take it with a light meal. Taking it at the same time each day will help you remember to take your tablets."

Answered by AI

What is the difference between Exjade and Jadenu?

"There are two forms of the medication - Exjade and Jadenu. Exjade must be mixed in liquid and taken on an empty stomach, whereas Jadenu can be taken without food. Jadenu is therefore simpler to administer for those with chronic iron overload."

Answered by AI

What is Exjade used for?

"This medication is used to treat high levels of iron in the body. It is used to treat high levels of iron in people with a certain blood disorder who do not require blood transfusions."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Exjade

Image of The Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Canada.

Blood Transfusion Strategies for Surgery

18+
All Sexes
Ottawa, Canada

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn if it is achievable to conduct a large-scale clinical trial whereby, the investigators will compare two ways of deciding when to give a blood transfusion during surgery. Participants in this study are adults undergoing surgery with a risk of significant blood loss. The main question it aims to answer is: * Is a trial designed to definitively test and compare two different red blood cell transfusion strategies feasible? Participants will: * Receive blood transfusions during surgery based on a higher (less than 90 g/L) or a lower (less than 70 g/L) hemoglobin value. * Complete questionnaires at 30 and 90 days after surgery.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

The Ottawa Hospital

Guillaume Martel, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS