Drug interactions
Deferiprone + Iron
Severity: Moderate
Deferiprone and Iron: 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 is an iron chelator and binds polyvalent cations, so oral iron supplements are chelated and both agents lose effect. Giving iron to a patient on deferiprone also works against the aim of treating iron overload.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deferiprone and Iron 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; Iron belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of iron by deferiprone, forming complexes that reduce absorption and activity of both.
What to do
Avoid iron supplementation in patients treated for iron overload unless deficiency is confirmed. If both are required, separate doses by at least 4 hours and monitor ferritin.
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?
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Other interactions of Iron
- Acetohydroxamic acid + Iron Moderate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Iron Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Iron Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Iron Moderate
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 Iron?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Deferiprone and Iron 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 is an iron chelator and binds polyvalent cations, so oral iron supplements are chelated and both agents lose effect. Giving iron to a patient on deferiprone also works against the aim of treating iron overload.
How serious is the interaction between Deferiprone and Iron?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid iron supplementation in patients treated for iron overload unless deficiency is confirmed. If both are required, separate doses by at least 4 hours and monitor ferritin.
What other medicines interact with Iron?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Iron with, for example, Acetohydroxamic acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Baloxavir marboxil. The full list is on the Iron page.
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