Ipijade is used to treat chronic iron overload from frequent blood transfusions in beta thalassaemia major patients aged 6+. It's also for those with infrequent transfusions, other anaemias, ages 2-5, and those aged 10+ with thalassaemia syndromes but no transfusion dependency when deferoxamine isn't suitable.
1. Dosage:
- 125 mg
- 250 mg
- 500 mg
2. What Ipijade is and what is it used for:
Ipijade contains an active substance called deferasirox. It is an iron chelator, a medicine used to remove excess iron from the body (also called iron overload). It traps and removes excess iron, which is then excreted mainly in the stools.
Repeated blood transfusions may be necessary in patients with various types of anaemia (For example, thalassaemia, sickle cell disease or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)). However, repeated blood transfusions can cause a build-up of excess iron. This is because blood contains iron, and your body does not have a natural way to remove the excess iron you get with your blood transfusions. In patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia syndromes, iron overload may also develop over time, mainly due to increased absorption of dietary iron in response to low blood cell counts. Over time, the excess iron can damage important organs such as the liver and heart. Medicines called iron chelators are used to remove the excess iron and reduce the risk of it causing organ damage.
Ipijade is used to treat chronic iron overload caused by frequent blood transfusions in patients with beta thalassaemia major aged 6 years or older Ipijade is also used to treat chronic iron overload when deferoxamine therapy is contraindicated or inadequate in patients with beta thalassaemia major with iron overload caused by infrequent blood transfusions, in patients with other types of anaemias, and children aged 2 to 5 years.
Ipijade is also used when deferoxamine therapy is contraindicated or inadequate to treat patients aged 10 years or older who have iron overload associated with their thalassaemia syndromes, but who are not transfusion dependent.
3. What you need to know before you take Ipijade:
Do not take Ipijade:
- If you are allergic to deferasirox or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
- If you have moderate or severe kidney disease.
- If you are currently taking any other iron chelator medicines.
Ipijade is not recommended:
- If you are at an advanced stage of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, decreased production of blood cells by the bone marrow) or have advanced cancer.
Other Medicines and Ipijade:
Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Additional tests may be required to monitor the blood levels of some of these medicines.
Older People (Age 65 Years and Over):
Ipijade can be used by people aged 65 years and over at the same dose as other adults. Elderly patients may experience more side effects (particularly diarrhoea) than younger patients.
Ipijade can be used in children and adolescents receiving regular blood transfusions aged 2 years and over and in children and adolescents not receiving regular blood transfusions aged 10 years and over.
Ipijade is not recommended for children aged under 2 years.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Ipijade is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.
If you are currently using an oral contraceptive or a patch contraceptive to prevent pregnancy, you should use an additional or different type of contraception (e.g. condom), as Ipijade may reduce the effectiveness of oral and patch contraceptives.
Breast-feeding is not recommended during treatment with Ipijade.
Driving and Using Machines:
If you feel dizzy after taking Ipijade, do not drive or operate any tools or machines until you feel normal again.
Ipijade Contains Lactose: If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before using this medicine.
4. Warnings and Precautions:
Consult your doctor before taking Ipijade:
- If you have a kidney or liver problem.
- If you have a cardiac problem due to iron overload.
- If you notice a marked decrease in your urine output.
- If you develop a severe rash, difficulty breathing and dizziness or swelling mainly of the face and throat.
- If you develop a rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, skin peeling, fever.
- If you experience a combination of drowsiness, upper right abdominal pain, yellowing or increased yellowing of your skin or eyes and dark urine.
- If you vomit blood and/or have black stools.
- If you experience frequent abdominal pain, particularly after eating or taking Ipijade.
- If you experience frequent heartburn.
- If you have a low level of platelets or white blood cells in your blood test.
- If you have blurred vision.
- If you have diarrhoea or vomiting.
5. How and When to Take Ipijade:
Treatment with Ipijade will be overseen by a doctor who is experienced in the treatment of iron overload caused by blood transfusions.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.
How Much Ipijade to Take:
The dose of Ipijade is related to body weight for all patients. Your doctor will calculate the dose you need and tell you how many tablets to take each day.
- The usual daily dose of Ipijade dispersible tablets at the start of the treatment for patients receiving regular blood transfusions is 20mg per kilogram body weight. A higher or lower starting dose may be recommended by your doctor based on your individual treatment needs.
- The usual daily dose for Ipijade dispersible tablets at the start of the treatment for patients not receiving blood transfusions is 10mg per kilogram body weight.
- Depending on how you respond to treatment, your doctor may later adjust your treatment to a higher or lower dose.
- The maximum recommended daily dose of Ipijade dispersible tablets is 40mg per kilogram body weight for patients receiving regular blood transfusions, 20mg per kilogram body weight for adult patients not receiving regular blood transfusions, and 10mg per kilogram body weight for children and adolescents not receiving regular blood transfusions.
Deferasirox also comes as film-coated tablets. If you are switching from the filmcoated tablets to these dispersible tablets, you will need an adjustment of the dose.
When to Take Ipijade:
- Take Ipijade once a day, every day, at about the same time each day.
- Take the Ipijade dispersible tablets on an empty stomach.
- Then wait at least 30 minutes before eating any food.
How to Take Ipijade:
- Drop the tablet(s) into a glass of water, or apple or orange juice (100ml to 200ml).
- Stir until the tablet(s) dissolve completely. The liquid in the glass will look cloudy.
- Drink everything in the glass. Then add a little water or juice to what is left in the glass, swirl the liquid around and drink that too.
Do not dissolve the tablets in fizzy drinks or milk.
Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets.
Do not swallow the tablets whole.
How Long to Take Ipijade:
Continue taking Ipijade every day for as long as your doctor tells you. This is a long-term treatment, possibly lasting for months or years. Your doctor will regularly monitor your condition to check that the treatment is having the desired effect.
If you have taken too much Ipijade, or if someone else accidentally takes your tablets, contact your doctor for advice straight away. Show them the pack of tablets. Medical treatment may be necessary.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on that day. Take your next dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose on the next day to make up for the forgotten tablet(s).
Do not stop taking Ipijade unless your doctor tells you to. If you stop taking it, the excess iron will no longer be removed from your body.
6. Possible Side Effects:
Most of the side effects are mild to moderate and will generally disappear after a few days to a few weeks of treatment.
Some side effects could be serious and need immediate medical attention.
These side effects are uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) or rare (may affect up to 1 in 1000 people):
- If you get a severe rash, difficulty breathing and dizziness or swelling mainly of the face and throat.
- If you get a severe rash, red skin, blistering of the lips, eyes or mouth, skin peeling, or fever.
- If you experience a combination of drowsiness, upper right abdominal pain, yellowing or increased yellowing of your skin or eyes and dark urine.
- If you vomit blood and/or have black stools.
- If you experience frequent abdominal pain, particularly after eating or taking Ipijade.
- If you experience frequent heartburn.
- If you experience partial loss of vision.
- If you experience severe upper stomach pain.
- If you notice a marked decrease in your urine output.
Stop taking this medicine and tell your problem straight away.
Some Side Effects Could Become Serious.
These Side Effects Are Uncommon:
- If you get blurred or cloudy vision.
- If you get reduced hearing.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Other Side Effects:
Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- Disturbance in kidney function tests.
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Gastrointestinal disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, pain in the abdomen, bloating, constipation, or indigestion.
- Rash
- Headache
- Disturbance in liver function tests.
- Itching.
- Disturbance in urine test.
If any of these affects you severely, tell your doctor.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Dizziness.
- Fever.
- Sore Throat.
- Swelling of the arms or legs.
- Change in the colour of the skin.
- Anxiety.
- Sleep Disorder.
- Tiredness.
If any of these affects you severely, tell your doctor.
Frequency Not Known (Cannot be estimated from the available data):
- A decrease in the number of cells involved in blood clotting, in the number of red blood cells, in the number of white blood cells, or the number of all kinds of blood cells.
- Hair Loss.
- Kidney Stones.
- Low Urine Output.
- Tear in the stomach or intestine wall that can be painful and cause nausea.
- Severe upper stomach pain.
- Abnormal level of acid in the blood.
Reporting of Side Effects: If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
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