Side Effects of Exjade

Exjade is a medication used to reduce high iron levels in the blood caused by blood transfusions, a condition called iron overload. The brand name for deferasirox, Exjade, is manufactured by Novartis and is usually prescribed for people with chronic anemia. Many side effects are possible, some serious.

Function

• Iron overload can cause damage to the heart and other organs. Exjade binds to excess iron in the blood and removes it from the body.

Common Side Effects

• The most common Exjade side effects include anxiety, fatigue, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, fever, coughing, dizziness, headache, insomnia, rash, and runny or stuffy nose.

Contraindications

• People with certain health disorders may not be able to take Exjade. These include kidney, liver or heart disease, a history of gastrointestinal bleeding or a weakened immune system.

Risks

• Some patients taking Exjade have developed severe and sometimes fatal liver, kidney or blood disorders, or stomach bleeding. Most of the deaths occurred in patients who had pre-existing conditions, other complications or were very ill.

FDA Communication

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an advisory in September 2009 that older patients with the blood disorder myelodysplastic syndrome may face greater risks from taking Exjade.