This is a summary of the most important
information about Exjade. For details, talk to your healthcare
professional.
What
Is Exjade?
Exjade is a
medicine used to treat chronic iron overload caused by blood
transfusions in patients 2 years of age and older.
Who Should Not Be Treated
With Exjade?
You should not be given Exjade if you
are allergic to anything in it.
What Are The Risks?
The
following are the major potential risks and side effects of Exjade
therapy. However, this list is not complete.
The following are the major possible
risks and side effects of Exjade
therapy:
- Kidney Problems.
Exjade may increase blood serum creatinine (a kidney marker) and
protein in the urine. Your healthcare professional should
monitor you for kidney problems.
- Liver Problems.
Liver problems include hepatitis and changes in blood liver
function tests. Your healthcare professional should monitor for
liver problems.
- Ear and Eye Problems.
Ear problems include hearing loss and
decreased hearing Eye problems include lens opacities,
cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, and retina disorders
that can cause changes in your eyesight. You should have ear and
eye testing done before you start Exjade treatment and at
regular times while you are taking this medicine.
- Skin Rashes.
These rashes often go away by themselves. Your healthcare
professional may also decide to lower your dose or stop
treatment if the rash is severe.
- Some common side effects
that may occur with Exjade include:
- stomach area pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- skin rash
- fever
- headache
- cough
- increased blood serum
creatinine
What Should I Tell My
Healthcare Professional?
Before you
start taking Exjade, tell your healthcare professional if you:
- have or had kidney problems
- have or had liver problems
- Take aluminum-containing
actacids
- are trying to become
pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- are allergic to Exjade or
to any of the ingredients in Exjade
Can Other Medicines Or Food Affect Exjade?
Exjade and certain other
medicines may interact with each other. Tell your healthcare
professional about all the medicines you take including
prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal
supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them
with you to show your healthcare professional.
Especially tell
your healthcare professional if you take:
How
Should I Take Exjade?
- Take Exjade once a day by
mouth on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating.
- Take Exjade at the same
time every day.
- Do not swallow or chew
Exjade tablets. You must completely dissolve the tablets in
water, orange juice, or apple juice, and then drink the mixture
right away. If there is any remaining mixture left in the glass,
add a small amount of liquid you dissolved the tablets in, mix,
and swallow again.