Efficacy and safety of oral iron chelating agent deferiprone in beta-thalassemia and hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia.

OBJECTIVES

To assess efficacy and safety of oral iron chelating agent deferiprone (DFP) in patients with beta thalassemia and hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia.

DESIGN

Non-randomized study.

SETTING

Hematology Out-Patient Department.

SUBJECTS

Forty-one patients of beta thalassemia and hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia.

INTERVENTIONS

DFP was given to 20 patients, 10 patients of beta thalassemia and 10 with hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia; the rest were taken as controls.

RESULTS

A significant fall in serum ferritin was observed in the study group along with rise in urinary iron excretion (p < 0.05). Adverse effects of DFP were nausea and vomiting (30%), significant arthropathy requiring stopping of the drug (30%), and reversible neutropenia in one patient. All these complications could be managed easily with medical supervision and no death or permanent disability was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

DFP is an effective and fairly well tolerated oral iron chelating agent. The side effects that occur can be tackled easily if monitored properly.