Deviating From Safety Guidelines During Deferiprone Therapy in Clinical Practice May Not be Associated With Higher Risk of Agranulocytosis

Elalfy, Mohssen; Wali, Yasser; Qari, Mohamad; Al Damanhouri, Ghazi; Al-Tonbary, Youssef; Yazman, Dilek; Al Hawsawi, Zakaria; KARAKAŞ, Zeynep; KILINÇ, YURDANUR; Yesilipek, M.; Badr, Mohamed; Elsafy, Usama; Salama, Mostafa; Rahman, Yousryeia; Shebl, Shebl; Stilman, Anne; Temin, Noemi; Tricta, Fernando

doi:10.1002/pbc.24920

Deviating From Safety Guidelines During Deferiprone Therapy in Clinical Practice May Not be Associated With Higher Risk of Agranulocytosis

Elalfy M., Wali Y. A., Qari M., Al Damanhouri G., Al-Tonbary Y., Yazman D., ...More

PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, vol.61, no.5, pp.879-884, 2014 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

Publication Type: Article / Article
Volume: 61 Issue: 5
Publication Date: 2014
Doi Number: 10.1002/pbc.24920
Journal Name: PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
Page Numbers: pp.879-884
Keywords: agranulocytosis, deferiprone, hemoglobinopathies, neutropenia, red blood cell disorders, thalassemia, THALASSEMIA MAJOR, DEFEROXAMINE
Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

BackgroundA risk associated with the iron chelator deferiprone is the development of neutropenia or agranulocytosis. Accordingly, the product label recommends weekly blood monitoring and immediate interruption of treatment upon detection of an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1.5x10(9)/L, out of concern that continued therapy might lead to a more severe drop. However, it is uncertain how these recommendations are followed under real-life conditions and, if they are not followed, whether continuation of therapy results in increased incidence of agranulocytosis.