Compassionate Use of Deferiprone for Patients With Thalassemia and Iron-Induced Heart Disease
Status:
Approved for marketing
Trial end date:
1969-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Patients who have iron overload due to chronic blood transfusions and have developed heart
failure or who are at high risk of heart failure because of the high levels of iron in their
hearts, will be treated with deferiprone, an investigational drug, in combination with
deferoxamine (Desferal). Some studies suggest that deferiprone may be better than
deferoxamine in removing iron from the heart and improving heart function, and that using
both drugs together may remove more iron. Participants would make a clinic visit for lab
studies each week, and would continue to take deferiprone for as long as their physician
feels it is useful in their care.