deferasirox (Exjade)

An iron chelator, this drug is used to remove excess iron from the body. It comes in a tablet form which is dissolved in juice or water and taken by mouth. Iron build-up can occur in patients who get a lot of red blood cell transfusions. Deferasirox binds with the iron in the body and is removed by the kidneys. Bone marrow failure disease patients are at risk for developing iron overload if they have had more than 20 units of packed red blood cells.