1. Why am I taking FERRIPROX?
FERRIPROX contains the active ingredient deferiprone.
Ferriprox is a medicine that removes iron from the body.
FERRIPROX is used in adults and children over 1 year old is used for the treatment of iron overload in patients with thalassaemia major who are unable to take desferrioxamine or in whom desferrioxamine therapy has proven ineffective.
In a disease such as thalassaemia major, there is accumulation of iron in the body in those patients who are dependent on blood transfusions. If not removed, the iron levels can reach a serious level in the body as a result of the accumulation. By removing the excess iron from the body, Ferriprox can reduce the serious effects of iron overload.
2. What should I know before I take FERRIPROX?
Warnings
Do not take FERRIPROX if you:
- are allergic to deferiprone or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- have a history of repeated episodes of neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
- have a history of agranulocytosis (a very low white blood cell count <0.5x109/L)
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can take this medicine.
Check with your doctor if:
- You have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- liver problems including hepatitis.
- kidney problems.
- heart problems, low potassium or low magnesium levels.
- HIV or other medical conditions where your immune system is compromised. - You take any medicines for anything else.
While taking FERRIPROX, you may be at risk of getting certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to watch for them. See extra information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Do not take FERRIPROX if you are pregnant, or if you are trying to become pregnant. This medication could seriously harm your baby. You must use effective contraception while you are taking FERRIPROX.
Do not take FERRIPROX if you are breast-feeding. It is not known if this medicine passes into breastmilk.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Other medicines and FERRIPROX may interfere with each other, affect the way they all work and/or increase the risk of side effects. These include:
- medicines that have the effect of lowering your blood white cell count, which could make you more likely to get an infection
- antacids (medicines that relieve heartburn and indigestion) that contain aluminium as an ingredient
- Vitamin C
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these interfere with FERRIPROX.
4. How do I take FERRIPROX?
How much to take
Your doctor (specialist) will tell you how much to take. It depends on your blood tests and your body weight.
The usual dose of FERRIPROX is three (3) times per day.
When to take FERRIPROX
Take your first dose in the morning. Take your second dose at midday. Take your third dose in the evening. Take it at about the same time every day.
You can take it with or without food, but it may help to take it with meals to help you remember to take it, or if you have nausea or vomiting (feeling or being sick).
How to take FERRIPROX
FERRIPROX tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of liquid.
If you forget to take FERRIPROX
If you miss your dose at the usual time, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you take too much FERRIPROX
You should immediately:
- phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26) in Australia, or - contact your doctor, or
- go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while taking FERRIPROX?
Things you should do
- Keep your appointments with your doctor.
- Have all tests recommended by your doctor, to monitor your progress and manage any side effects. These may include tests on your blood, liver and kidney.
- Take any supplements that your doctor recommends.
- Make sure you always use sunscreen when taking FERRIPROX, as it can make your skin more likely to react to the sun- i.e., sunburn, rash.
- Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking FERRIPROX, especially if they are giving you a new medicine to take, or if you are having any other blood tests, as FERRIPROX can interfere with some tests.
Stop taking FERRIPROX and call your doctor straight away if:
- you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- you get symptoms of an infection (fever, sore throat, flu-like symptoms)
Things you must not do
- Do not change the dosage or stop taking FERRIPROX unless your doctor tells you to.
- Do not take FERRIPROX to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
- Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Driving or using machines
FERRIPROX is unlikely to affect your alertness but be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how FERRIPROX affects you.
Drinking alcohol
It is not known if alcohol affects how FERRIPROX works or if you are more likely to get side effects.
Looking after FERRIPROX
Storage instructions:
Keep your medicine in its original container until it is time to take your dose.
- 500 mg tablets: Store below 25°C.
- 1,000 mg tablets: Store below 30°C. Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect from moisture. Use within 50 days of first opening.
Store all medicines in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store them:
- in the bathroom or near a sink, or
- in the car or on windowsills.
Keep them where young children cannot see or reach them.
When to discard your medicine
Discard your medicine if:
- your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking this medicine
- the expiry date has passed
- the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
Take it to any pharmacy where it will be disposed of safely.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do have any side effects, most of them will be minor and short-lived. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
| Less serious side effects | What to do |
Bone, muscle and tissues
| Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
General body
| Call your doctor straight away or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed may occur in some people.
Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects in Australia to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What FERRIPROX contains
| Active ingredient (main ingredient) | deferiprone |
| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) | 500 mg film-coated tablets
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What FERRIPROX looks like
500 mg tablets: White to off-white, capsule shaped, film coated, scored, printed “APO [bisect] 500” on one side and plain on the other side. The tablets can be broken in half.
They are packed in HDPE bottles with child-resistant caps, containing 100 tablets.
1,000 mg tablets: White to off-white, capsule shaped, film coated, scored, printed “APO [bisect] 1000” on one side and plain on the other side. The tablets can be broken in half.
They are packed in HDPE bottles with child-resistant caps, containing 50 tablets.
Not all strengths may be available.
ARTG Numbers:
- Ferriprox 500 mg tablets: AUST R 93946
- Ferriprox 1,000 mg tablets: AUST R 280204
Who distributes FERRIPROX
Chiesi Australia Pty Ltd
Level 7, Suite 1, 500 Bourke Street,
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.chiesi.com.au
This leaflet was prepared in November 2025
Published by MIMS January 2026