Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Ferrous sulfate
Severity: Moderate
Deferiprone and Ferrous sulfate: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Deferiprone chelates iron, so oral iron given together binds the drug in the gut and in the body. This can reduce deferiprone absorption and its chelating effect, while the iron supplement is also inactivated.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone and Ferrous sulfate can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Deferiprone belongs to Miscellaneous; Ferrous sulfate belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Chelation of iron by deferiprone forms complexes that reduce absorption of both agents and oppose the intended iron removal.
What to do
Separate deferiprone from iron supplements by at least 4 hours. Reassess the need for iron supplementation in patients treated for iron overload.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Deferiprone and Ferrous sulfate, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Ferrous sulfate
Other interactions of Deferiprone
- Clozapine + Deferiprone Contraindicated
- Abemaciclib + Deferiprone Major
- Acalabrutinib + Deferiprone Major
- Ado-trastuzumab emtansine + Deferiprone Major
- Ado-trastuzumab + Deferiprone Major
- Aldesleukin + Deferiprone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Deferiprone with Ferrous sulfate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Deferiprone and Ferrous sulfate can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Deferiprone chelates iron, so oral iron given together binds the drug in the gut and in the body. This can reduce deferiprone absorption and its chelating effect, while the iron supplement is also inactivated.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Ferrous sulfate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate deferiprone from iron supplements by at least 4 hours. Reassess the need for iron supplementation in patients treated for iron overload.
What other medicines interact with Ferrous sulfate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ferrous sulfate with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Dimercaprol, Acetohydroxamic acid. The full list is on the Ferrous sulfate page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
