[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Chelating agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/chelating-agents/) › Deferiprone

# Deferiprone

## Chelating agents?

Chelating agents

## Pregnancy: avoid?

Avoid: animal studies showed embryo-fetal death and malformations; effective contraception is used during treatment and for months afterwards.

An oral iron chelator for transfusional iron overload in thalassaemia. Its key danger is agranulocytosis, so blood counts are checked often.

Updated Nov 12, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Chelating agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/chelating-agents/)

**Target**
Ferric iron (Fe3+)

**Used for**
Transfusional iron overload

**Key effects**
Reddish-brown urine · Nausea · Joint pain

**Monitor**
ALT monthly · Plasma zinc

**ATC**
V03AC02

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Clinical What the labels mean

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

Deferiprone has a strong affinity for ferric iron: three molecules surround one iron ion and form a neutral complex. The complex is excreted in urine, which can turn reddish-brown. Deferiprone itself is inactivated by glucuronidation (UGT1A6) in the liver into a metabolite that no longer binds iron.

- Transfusions build up iron in tissues
- Three deferiprone molecules bind one ferric ion
- The neutral complex is excreted in urine
- Urine may turn reddish-brown, which is harmless

## Indications

- Transfusional iron overload in thalassaemia syndromes when current chelation is inadequate [Thalassemias (α and β) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/thalassemias/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Reddish-brown urine (chromaturia)
- Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Raised liver enzymes (ALT)

### Serious (rare, important)

- Agranulocytosis, which can lead to serious infection and death (boxed warning); neutropenia may come first
- Zinc deficiency

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to deferiprone or its excipients

## Key interactions

**UGT1A6 inhibitors (for example diclofenac, probenecid, silymarin)**
Avoided: they slow its inactivation

**Iron, aluminium and zinc products, including antacids and supplements**
Bind deferiprone; doses are separated by several hours

**Other drugs that can cause neutropenia**
Avoided, or neutrophil counts are followed closely

## What is monitored

- Absolute neutrophil count before starting, then weekly during the first months and less often later
- ALT monthly
- Plasma zinc
- Serum ferritin every few months

## Administration and safety

- Given by mouth; separated from mineral supplements and antacids
- Stopped at once if neutropenia or an infection appears, until reviewed

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Avoid: animal studies showed embryo-fetal death and malformations; effective contraception is used during treatment and for months afterwards.

## Nursing care

- Check the neutrophil count result before each supply
- Teach the patient to report fever, sore throat or mouth ulcers immediately
- Explain that reddish-brown urine is expected
- Ask about joint pain and gastrointestinal upset

## Pharmacokinetics

**Metabolism**
Glucuronidated by UGT1A6 to an inactive metabolite

**Elimination**
Mostly in urine, as the metabolite

**Half-life**
About 2 hours

## Memory aid

deferiPRONE: PRONE to drop the neutrophils, so count them every week at first.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is the boxed warning for deferiprone?

Agranulocytosis and neutropenia, which can lead to serious infection and death.

## Why does urine turn reddish-brown during deferiprone treatment?

The iron complex is excreted in urine; it is harmless.

## Which enzyme inactivates deferiprone?

UGT1A6, which glucuronidates it to a metabolite that no longer binds iron.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/deferiprone/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## What the labels mean

**Pregnancy: avoid**
Avoid: animal studies showed embryo-fetal death and malformations; effective contraception is used during treatment and for months afterwards.

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Deferoxamine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/deferoxamine/)
- [Deferasirox](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/deferasirox/)
- [Milk thistle](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/milk-thistle/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Thalassemias (α and β)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/thalassemias/)

[← Back to the class: Chelating agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/chelating-agents/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - DEFERIPRONE tablet, coated](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=67139215-1154-4e1a-ae15-0f3cd8af5177) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [eEML - Electronic Essential Medicines List](https://list.essentialmeds.org/) (World Health Organization, 2025); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=V03AC02) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/deferiprone/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/deferiprone/