Deferiprone

Drugs Associated with Neutropenia or Agranulocytosis: Avoid co-administration. If co-administration is unavoidable, closely monitor the absolute neutrophil count. ( 7.1 ) UGT1A6 Inhibitors: Avoid co-administration. ( 7.2 ) Polyvalent Cations: Allow at least a 4-hour interval between administration of FERRIPROX and drugs or supplements containing polyvalent cations (e.g., iron, aluminum, or zinc). ( 2.2 , 7.2 )

7.1 Drugs A ssociated with N eutropenia or A granulocytosis Avoid co-administration of FERRIPROX with other drugs known to be associated with neutropenia or agranulocytosis. If co-administration is unavoidable, closely monitor the absolute neutrophil count [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] .

7.2 Effect of Other Drugs on FERRIPROX UDP-Glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) Avoid use of UGT1A6 inhibitors (e.g., diclofenac, probenecid, or silymarin (milk thistle)) with FERRIPROX [ see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) , Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] . Polyvalent Cations Deferiprone has the potential to bind polyvalent cations (e.g., iron, aluminum, and zinc); allow at least a 4-hour interval between FERRIPROX and other medications (e.g., antacids), or supplements containing these polyvalent cations [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) ] .

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of deferiprone to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses 33% and 49%, respectively, of the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) resulted in structural abnormalities, embryo-fetal mortality and alterations to growth (see Data) . The limited available data from deferiprone use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of major birth defects and miscarriage. Based on evidence and developmental toxicity in animal studies, FERRIPROX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.

Advise pregnant women and females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Data Human Data Post-marketing data available from 39 pregnancies of deferiprone-treated patients and 10 pregnancies of partners of deferiprone-treated patients are as follows: Of the 39 pregnancies in deferiprone-treated patients, 23 resulted in healthy newborns, 6 ended in spontaneous abortion, 9 had unknown outcomes, and 1 infant was born with anal atresia, nephroptosis, ventricular septal defect, hemivertebra and urethral fistula. Of the 10 pregnancies in partners of deferiprone-treated patients, 5 resulted in healthy newborns, 1 resulted in a healthy newborn with slight hypospadias, 1 was electively terminated, 1 resulted in the intrauterine death of twins, and 2 had unknown outcomes.

Animal Data During organogenesis, pregnant rats and rabbits received deferiprone at oral doses of 0, 30, 80 or 200 mg/kg/day, and 0, 10, 50, or 150 mg/kg/day, respectively. The daily dose was administered as two equal divided doses approximately 7 hours apart. Doses of 200 mg/kg/day in rats and 150 mg/kg/day in rabbits, approximately 33% and 49% of the MRHD, respectively, resulted in increased post-implantation loss and reduced fetal weights in the presence of maternal toxicity (reduced maternal body weight and body weight gain in both rats and rabbits; abnormal large placenta at low incidence in rats).

The 200 mg/kg/day dose in rats resulted in external, visceral and skeletal fetal malformations such as cranial malformations, cleft palate, limb malrotation, anal atresia, internal hydrocephaly, anophthalmia and fused bones. The dose of 150…