Tag: Deferiprone

In a study of transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients, 91.2% were found to have hepatic iron overload [1.7.4]. **What is chelation therapy for thalassemia?** It's a critical medical treatment using drugs called iron chelators to remove this excess iron and prevent life-threatening organ damage [1.3.4, 1.2.1].

Without effective treatment, the progressive accumulation of excess iron can be fatal in patients with chronic anemia, underscoring the critical need for iron chelation therapy. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three primary iron chelators to help remove this excess iron from the body and prevent organ damage. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of these crucial medications.

Iron overload, often resulting from frequent blood transfusions or genetic conditions like hereditary hemochromatosis, can damage organs like the heart and liver. Medical chelation therapy uses specialized medications that dissolve iron build up, binding to excess iron in the body so it can be safely removed.

For patients requiring chronic blood transfusions, excess iron accumulates in the body, necessitating chelation therapy. But what is the drug of choice for iron overload? The answer is not a single medication but a personalized approach, depending on the specific condition, severity, and tolerability.