deferoxamine + deferiprone

Deferoxamine + deferiprone is a combination therapy of two iron chelators used primarily for the treatment of severe iron overload, especially in patients with transfusion-dependent anemias such as beta-thalassemia major. Deferoxamine (also known as desferrioxamine) is typically administered subcutaneously and binds free iron, facilitating its excretion mainly via urine and bile. Deferiprone is an oral chelator that also binds excess iron, promoting urinary excretion. The combination leverages the complementary mechanisms and pharmacokinetics of both agents to enhance overall iron removal efficacy, reduce individual drug toxicity by allowing lower doses, improve patient compliance (by reducing frequency or duration of infusions), and may provide additional benefits in improving cardiac function in patients with cardiac siderosis[1][2][4]. This regimen is particularly useful for patients who are inadequately controlled on monotherapy or have poor compliance with parenteral therapy.

Brand names

Ferriprox + Desferal

Other names

desferrioxamine + deferiprone