Deferiprone is in a class of medications called iron chelators. It works by attaching to iron in the body so that it can be excreted (removed from the body).
Deferiprone comes in a pill form and is taken by mouth. Deferiprone is approved for use in Europe. Researchers in the U.S. are studying deferiprone for treating iron overload iron overload: A condition that occurs when too much iron accumulates in the body. Bone marrow failure disease patients who need regular red blood cell transfusions are at risk for iron overload. Organ damage can occur if iron overload is not treated. in patients with thalassemia. Deferiprone binds with iron in the bloodstream and is removed from the body by the kidneys. Bone marrow failure Bone marrow failure: A condition that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough healthy blood cells. The most common of these rare diseases are aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Bone marrow failure can be acquired (begin any time in life) or can be… patients are at risk for developing iron overload if they have had more than 20 units of packed red blood cells.