Comming Soon Ferriprox (Deferiprone) Copay Assistance Program |QuickRx

Without insurance or copay assistance, Ferriprox (deferiprone) can be very expensive. As a specialty medication for iron chelation therapy, Ferriprox requires ongoing daily treatment which can result in significant monthly costs.

Factors That Affect Ferriprox Cost:

• Formulation: Ferriprox is available as an oral solution (100 mg/mL), 500 mg tablets, and 1,000 mg tablets in both twice-daily and three-times-daily formulations
• Weight-based dosing: Doses are calculated based on body weight, so costs vary by patient
• Generic availability: Generic deferiprone is available, which may cost less than brand Ferriprox
• Insurance coverage: Many plans cover Ferriprox with varying copay or coinsurance amounts

Contact QuickRx at (917) 830-2525 to explore copay assistance options that may help reduce your Ferriprox costs.

Several copay assistance programs may help reduce Ferriprox (deferiprone) costs depending on your insurance status and financial situation.

Available Ferriprox Copay Assistance Options:

• Manufacturer copay cards: For commercially insured patients
• Patient assistance programs: For uninsured or underinsured patients meeting income requirements
• Independent foundation grants: Organizations supporting patients with thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and blood disorders
• State pharmaceutical assistance programs: Varies by state

QuickRx can help determine which programs you qualify for and assist with enrollment at no cost to you.

Medicare patients cannot use manufacturer copay cards due to federal regulations. However, other assistance options may be available for Medicare beneficiaries.

Medicare Patient Options:

• Independent foundation grants: Some foundations provide assistance regardless of insurance type
• State pharmaceutical assistance programs: Many states offer additional help for Medicare patients
• Medicare Extra Help: Low-Income Subsidy program for prescription costs
• Generic deferiprone: May be a lower-cost option compared to brand Ferriprox

QuickRx can help Medicare patients explore all available options for reducing Ferriprox costs. Call 917-830-2525 to speak with a patient navigator.

No, QuickRx provides completely FREE copay assistance services for all patients. Our patient navigators help you find and enroll in Ferriprox copay assistance programs at no charge.

What QuickRx Does For Free:

• Reviews your insurance coverage and identifies available programs
• Completes copay card and patient assistance applications
• Coordinates with your healthcare provider for required documentation
• Manages ongoing renewals and insurance changes
• Provides continuous support throughout your iron chelation treatment

Our goal is to help you access the Ferriprox you need at the lowest possible cost.

Yes, generic deferiprone is available. Generic versions may cost less than brand-name Ferriprox.

Available Deferiprone Formulations:

• Brand Ferriprox: Oral solution (100 mg/mL), 500 mg tablets, 1,000 mg tablets
• Ferriprox Twice-A-Day: 1,000 mg tablets (twice-daily formulation)
• Generic deferiprone: 500 mg and 1,000 mg tablets available from multiple manufacturers

Important: Ferriprox is available in two different 1,000 mg tablet formulations (twice-daily and three-times-daily). These formulations have different dosing schedules. Always verify you have the correct formulation for your prescribed dosing regimen.

Ferriprox (deferiprone) is a prescription medication used to treat iron overload caused by blood transfusions. It belongs to a class of medications called chelating agents.

About Ferriprox:

• Drug class: Chelating Agent
• Mechanism: Binds to excess iron in the body and removes it through urine
• FDA approved: October 14, 2011
• Manufacturer: Chiesi USA Inc
• Available forms: Oral solution (100 mg/mL), 500 mg tablets, 1,000 mg tablets (twice-daily and three-times-daily formulations)

Ferriprox helps remove excess iron that accumulates in the body from repeated blood transfusions, which can damage organs if left untreated.

Ferriprox is FDA-approved for treating transfusional iron overload in patients with certain blood disorders who require regular blood transfusions.

FDA-Approved Indications:

• Thalassemia syndromes: Including beta-thalassemia major
• Sickle cell disease: Patients requiring regular transfusions
• Other anemias: Conditions requiring chronic blood transfusions

Age Approval:

• Oral solution: Adults and children 3 years and older
• Tablets: Adults and children 8 years and older

Limitation: Safety and effectiveness have not been established for transfusional iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or Diamond Blackfan anemia.

Ferriprox dosing is based on body weight. The typical starting dose is 75 mg/kg/day.

Dosing Information:

• Standard dose: 75 mg/kg/day divided into doses throughout the day
• Maximum dose: 99 mg/kg/day
• Three-times-daily dosing: Administer in the morning, at midday, and in the evening
• Twice-daily dosing: Administer approximately every 12 hours (morning and evening) – only for the twice-daily 1,000 mg tablet formulation

Starting Therapy:

Your doctor may start at a lower dose (45 mg/kg/day) and increase gradually to minimize stomach upset.

Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate dose based on your weight and treatment response.

How you take Ferriprox depends on your prescribed formulation.

Administration Instructions:

• Oral solution: Measure dose with the provided cup; after taking, add water to the cup, swirl, and drink to get the full dose; hand wash the measuring cup after use
• Tablets: May be halved for necessary dose rounding
• Food: May be taken with food to decrease nausea and vomiting

Important Timing:

• Allow at least 4 hours between Ferriprox and any medications or supplements containing iron, aluminum, or zinc
• Avoid antacids containing aluminum within 4 hours of taking Ferriprox

Storage:

• Store at room temperature
• Oral solution: Use within 35 days after opening; discard any remaining solution after 35 days

Like all medications, Ferriprox can cause side effects. Common side effects vary depending on the underlying condition being treated.

Most Common Side Effects:

• Gastrointestinal: Nausea (7-13%), vomiting (10-19%), abdominal pain (10-26%), diarrhea (3-5%)
• Musculoskeletal: Joint pain (arthralgia, 10%), back pain, limb pain, bone pain
• Other: Headache, fever (in sickle cell patients), increased liver enzymes
• Urine color change: Reddish-brown discoloration of urine (this is usually harmless)

Taking Ferriprox with food may help reduce nausea and stomach upset.

Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience.

Ferriprox has a boxed warning for serious blood cell problems. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of infection.

BOXED WARNING – Agranulocytosis/Neutropenia:

• Ferriprox can cause agranulocytosis (severely low white blood cells) that can lead to serious infections and death
• Neutropenia (low white blood cells) may occur before agranulocytosis develops
• Stop taking Ferriprox and call your doctor immediately if you have signs of infection: fever, chills, body aches, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, skin sores, or mouth/throat sores

Other Serious Side Effects:

• Liver problems: Dark urine, fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, light-colored stools, vomiting, yellowing of skin or eyes
• Allergic reactions: Rash, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing
• Zinc deficiency: May require supplementation

Certain patients should not take Ferriprox or should use extreme caution.

Ferriprox is Contraindicated In:

• Hypersensitivity: Patients with known allergy to deferiprone or any component of the formulation

Use Caution If You Have:

• Weak immune system: Increased risk of serious infections
• Liver disease: May need monitoring or dose adjustments
• Severe neutropenia: ANC less than 500/mm³

Important Pregnancy Warning:

• Ferriprox may cause harm to an unborn baby based on animal studies
• Women: Use effective birth control during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose
• Men: Use effective birth control during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose
• Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose

Ferriprox can interact with several medications and supplements. Always tell your doctor about all medications you take.

Medications to AVOID with Ferriprox:

• Alcohol: May increase deferiprone levels
• UGT1A6 inhibitors: May increase deferiprone levels
• Other iron chelators: Do not use deferasirox (Exjade) or deferoxamine (Desferal) unless specifically directed by your doctor
• Myelosuppressive agents: May increase risk of neutropenia; avoid if possible

Medications Requiring Timing Separation (4 hours apart):

• Antacids containing aluminum
• Iron supplements or medicines
• Zinc supplements
• Multivitamins containing iron or zinc

Herbal Products to Avoid:

• Milk thistle

Your healthcare provider should review all your medications before starting Ferriprox.

Regular blood monitoring is critical during Ferriprox treatment due to the risk of serious blood cell problems.

Required Monitoring:

• Absolute neutrophil count (ANC):
  • Before starting treatment
  • Weekly during the first 6 months
  • Every 2 weeks for the next 6 months
  • Every 2-4 weeks thereafter (or at blood transfusion intervals)
• Liver function tests (ALT): At baseline and monthly
• Serum ferritin: Every 2-3 months to assess iron levels
• Zinc levels: At baseline and regularly; supplementation may be needed
• Pregnancy testing: Before starting treatment

If your ANC drops below normal, your doctor may interrupt treatment until it recovers.

Ferriprox may cause your urine to turn a reddish-brown color. This is usually not harmful and is a normal effect of the medication.

Why This Happens:

• Ferriprox binds to iron in your body and the iron-deferiprone complex is excreted through your urine
• This complex gives the urine a reddish-brown appearance
• The color change indicates the medication is working to remove excess iron

When to Call Your Doctor:

While reddish-brown urine is usually harmless, contact your doctor if you also experience:

• Upper stomach pain
• Clay-colored stools
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)

These symptoms could indicate a liver problem rather than normal drug effects.

Treatment duration with Ferriprox depends on your iron levels and ongoing transfusion needs.

General Treatment Approach:

• Iron chelation therapy is typically ongoing for patients who continue to receive blood transfusions
• Your doctor will monitor your serum ferritin levels to assess treatment response
• If serum ferritin falls consistently below 500 mcg/L, your doctor may temporarily stop treatment until levels rise
• Treatment may be adjusted based on your response and tolerance

Continue taking Ferriprox exactly as prescribed. Do not stop or change your dose without consulting your healthcare provider.

Questions about Ferriprox copay assistance? Contact QuickRx at (917) 830-2525