Comparison of Deferasirox (Exjade\(^®\)) and Deferoxamine (Desferal\(^®\)) Effects on Iron Overload in Patients with Blood Transfusion-Dependent \(\beta\)-Thalassemia Major in Iraq

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare between the effects of two most common iron chelating agents (Deferasirox and Deferoxamine) used in the management of beta-thalassemia major. Materials and Methods: A Cross section study conducted in Thalassemia and hereditary blood Diseases Center of Kut hospitals in September 2022, all the included patients were of \(\beta\)-thalassemia major type those treated with blood transfusion and iron chelating agents. Patients were divided into two groups. First group included 20 patients receiving Deferasirox (Exjade) Novartis Europharm Basil, Switzerland and another group included 20 patients receiving Deferoxamine (Desferal) Novartis Europharm Basil, Switzerland as iron chelating agents. Both of them manufactured from Novartis Europharm- Basil, Switzerland. Results: The results showed that serum ferritin levels were significantly lowered in Exjade group compared to deferoxamine group indicating that, Exjade was more effective in reducing iron overload compared to deferoxamine. There were no significant differences for other laboratory investigations between the chelating agent groups. Conclusion: our study indicated that exjade is more effective than deferoxamine in treatment of iron overload so should using of exjade lead to decrease effects of iron on vital organs and minimized mortality rate of thalassemia.