Drug Safety Warnings and Updates: April-June 2018

Beth F. Fritsch, PharmD, MBA, BCPS; Steve Morin, RN

Disclosures

September 10, 2018

Editorial Collaboration

Medscape &

In This Article

Deferasirox (Exjade)

For more on this Drug Safety Labeling Change, click here.

For full prescribing information, click here.

Updated Boxed Warning

Renal Failure

EXJADE can cause acute renal failure and death, particularly in patients with comorbidities and those who are in the advanced stages of their hematologic disorders.

Evaluate baseline renal function prior to starting or increasing Exjade dosing in all patients. Exjade is contraindicated in adult and pediatric patients with eGFR less than 40 mL/min/1.73 m2. Measure serum creatinine in duplicate prior to initiation of therapy. Monitor renal function at least monthly. For patients with baseline renal impairment or increased risk of acute renal failure, monitor renal function weekly for the first month, then at least monthly. Reduce the starting dose in patients with pre-existing renal disease. During therapy, increase the frequency of monitoring and modify the dose for patients with an increased risk of renal impairment, including use of concomitant nephrotoxic drugs, and pediatric patients with volume depletion or overchelation.

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