恩瑞格使用说明

It is currently the only oral iron chelator developed by Novartis. It was approved by the FDA in November 2005 for use in patients 2 years and older with chronic iron overload caused by blood transfusions.

On January 23, 2013, the FDA approved the new indication of Enriga for the treatment of chronic iron overload in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) aged 10 years and above.

So, what are the specific instructions for using Enrig?

Starting dose: The recommended starting daily dose of Enrig is 20 mg/kg. 

For patients who receive monthly transfusions of more than 14 mL/kg of packed red blood cells (ie, more than 4 units/month in adults) and who need to reduce excess iron exposure, a starting dose of 30 mg/kg/day may be considered. 

For patients who receive monthly transfusions of less than 7 mL/kg of packed red blood cells (i.e., less than 2 units/month in adults) and who need to maintain body iron balance, a starting dose of 10 mg/kg/day may be considered. 

In patients who have already responded well to deferoxamine therapy, an initial dose of Enriga equivalent to half the deferoxamine dose may be considered. (For example, a patient receiving deferoxamine 40 mg/kg/day, 5 days a week or equivalent, may start with 20 mg/kg if switched to Enrig.)

How to take:

Enriga should be taken once a day on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before a meal, preferably at the same time each day. Tablets should not be chewed or swallowed whole.  

Enriga should not be taken with aluminum-containing antacids, and the dose (mg/kg) needs to be calculated and rounded to the nearest whole tablet. 

Completely dissolve it in water, apple juice or orange juice (100-200mL) by stirring until a clear suspension is obtained and then drink it. The remaining drug must be added with a small amount of water, apple juice or orange juice and mixed well before taking it. Not recommended for dissolution in carbonated drinks or milk as it can cause foaming and slow dispersion.