Brand name:
Ferriprox
Deferiprone is in a class of medications called iron chelators. It works by attaching to iron in the body so that it can be excreted (removed from the body).
Deferiprone comes in a pill form and is taken by mouth. Deferiprone is approved for use in Europe. Researchers in the U.S. are studying deferiprone for treating iron overload in patients with thalassemia. Deferiprone binds with iron in the bloodstream and is removed from the body by the kidneys. Bone marrow failure patients are at risk for developing iron overload if they have had more than 20 units of packed red blood cells.