Exjade is the first oral iron chelator approved in the EU for use in patients with transfusional iron overload who have a wide range of underlying diseases. Exjade is approved in the EU for the treatment of chronic iron overload due to frequent blood transfusions in patients age six and older with beta thalassemia major.
It is also indicated in the EU for the treatment of chronic iron overload when the medicine deferoxamine is contraindicated or considered inadequate in patients with other anemias, children age two to five years and patients with beta thalassemia major with iron overload due to infrequent blood transfusions.
According to Novartis, Exjade is a more convenient alternative to deferoxamine, the standard iron chelator used, which requires nightly infusions by needle and pump, often lasting eight to 12 hours per night for five to seven nights a week as long as the patient continues to receive blood transfusions or has excess iron within the body.
Exjade can therefore improve patient compliance to iron chelation therapy, and help patients avoid the toxic effects of iron overload.
Source: Novartis
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