Iron chelator: Class Overview and Comparison
Quick answer: Iron chelator are a class of medicines used for specific therapeutic indications. iMedic covers 6 iron chelator substances. Below is a comparison table linking to detailed pages for each.
Iron chelator on iMedic (6 substances)
| Substance | Primary indications | Mechanism | Common dose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deferasirox | Chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions, Non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia iron overload | Tridentate oral iron chelator that selectively binds ferric iron for fecal excre | 14-28 mg/kg once daily (film-coated tablets) |
| Deferiprone | Transfusional iron overload in thalassemia | Bidentate oral iron chelator that binds ferric iron and is excreted in urine | 25-33 mg/kg three times daily (max 99 mg/kg/day) |
| Deferiprone Lipomed | Transfusional iron overload in thalassemia | Bidentate oral iron chelator that binds ferric iron and is excreted in urine (Li | 25 mg/kg three times daily |
| Desferal | Iron overload, Aluminum toxicity | Binds free iron and aluminum to form complexes excreted in urine | 20-60 mg/kg/day subcutaneous infusion |
| Exjade | Chronic iron overload from transfusions, Non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia iron overload | Oral tridentate iron chelator that binds ferric iron for biliary excretion | 10-30 mg/kg once daily |
| Ferriprox | Transfusional iron overload in thalassemia | Oral bidentate iron chelator (deferiprone) that binds and removes excess iron | 25 mg/kg three times daily (75 mg/kg/day) |
About Iron chelator
Iron chelator share a common mechanism of action and clinical use. Specific dosing, side effects, contraindications, and drug interactions vary between individual substances within the class. Click any substance above for full prescribing information and patient guidance.
Common considerations across the class
- Indication-specific selection: Different members may be preferred for different conditions or patient populations
- Dose equivalence: Members of the same class are not always interchangeable on a 1:1 dose basis
- Drug interactions: Class members often share interaction profiles (e.g., CYP enzyme effects) but individual variation matters
- Side effects: Some side effects are class-wide; others are substance-specific
- Contraindications: Individual contraindications may not generalize across the class
Always consult the prescribing information for the specific medicine prescribed and discuss with your clinician.
Frequently asked questions
What are Iron chelator?
Iron chelator are medicines that share a common mechanism of action used for specific therapeutic indications. iMedic currently covers 6 substances in this class with detailed pages for each.
Are all Iron chelator interchangeable?
No. While medicines in the same class share a mechanism, they differ in potency, dosing, drug interactions, and tolerability. Switching between them is a clinical decision based on individual response, side effects, and treatment goals.
How do I choose between different Iron chelator?
Selection depends on the specific clinical indication, patient factors (age, comorbidities, kidney/liver function, other medications), tolerability of side effects, cost, and clinician preference. This is a prescribing decision.
Are Iron chelator available as generics?
Most well-established class members are available as generic alternatives, often substantially less expensive than brand-name versions while clinically equivalent. Newer members may still be brand-only.
Last reviewed: by iMedic Medical Editorial Team. Our editorial process.