What is the recommended management of Ferriprox® side effects?
Neutropenia/ Agranulocytosis • The neutrophil count should be monitored every week during Ferriprox therapy. • Therapy should be interrupted if the neutrophil count drops to less than 1.5 x 109/L. • Patients should be advised to immediately report to their physicians if they experience symptoms of infection such as fever/sore throat or flu-like symptoms. • In clinical trials, the neutrophil counts returned to normal upon withdrawal of the drug. • If a patient develops infection, Ferriprox® therapy should be interrupted immediately and the neutrophil count monitored more frequently • Granulocyte-stimulating growth factors (GCSF) should be used in cases of agranulocytosis. Increased liver enzymes • An increase in serum liver enzymes levels has been observed in some patients treated with Ferriprox®. This increase is more frequently observed during the first 3 months of therapy, is generally asymptomatic, and, in the majority of patients, returns to baseline levels without discontinuation
