Thalasemia it is a disease inherited or genetic, a blood disorder found in many countries around the world, especially in those originating from the Mediterranean region, Middle East, or Asia.
Until now the disease can not be cured thalasemia. In order to continue to survive, thalasemia patients must undergo blood transfusions every month.
In Indonesia there are at least about 5,000 patients recorded major thalasemia. Not to mention that is not listed or unable to access health services. Thalasemia Center RSCM example, every month to serve 1200 patients. Every day, no fewer than 100 patients undergoing blood transfusion.
But the good news, recently introduced innovations in treatment for patients with oral thalasemia binding of iron, ie deferasirox, which dikelurkan Novartis.
"Oral Medicine in tablet form that is clinically proven to effectively reduce excess iron in patients aged two years upwards," dr. Farica Kartawidjaja, Product Manager, Novartis Oncology Indonesia.
Deferasirox, said dr. Farica, currently the only iron-binding drugs are made in the form of drinks consumed once a day, where the tablet can be dissolved in fruit juice or water. During this treatment is intravenous form must be used by patients for 8-12 hours per day, 5-7 days a week. As a result, many patients who discontinued therapy and this iron binding, so the risk of poisoning effect of excess iron in the blood.
Deferasirox has been approved in Indonesia and has discussed the benefits to patients in a scientific meeting in Bangkok attended by more than 100 health experts from the Asia Pacific region. Deferasirox already approved Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in America and in Switzerland by the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products (Swissmedic).
Binding of iron in the blood is important to avoid complications that can result in death due to excess iron in patients receiving blood transfusions is continuously suffering from diseases such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, or anemia, a rare find and mielodisplastik syndrome.
Based on recent studies published in medical journal edition May 1, the results of an international study showed that deferasirox effectively reduce excess iron in patients aged two years upwards. Clinical trials conducted by the method of multi-center randomized in 586 patients suffering from excess iron in the blood where deferasirox compared with standard treatment currently used is intravenous deferoxamine therapy.
The study also mentions, among others, deferasirox showed equivalent benefits with deferoxamine; dosage can be adjusted with the goal of therapy (maintaining or reducing LIC and iron intake). LIC, is a measure of iron accumulation in the liver, an indicator of the amount of iron in patients who received blood transfusions).
Deferasirox lowered serum ferritin, which is a different type of measurement to see the content of iron in the body. In adults and children at least two years of age, deferasirox can be tolerated well.
About Excess Iron and Iron Binding
Excess iron is the result of repeated blood transfusions, in which iron accumulation is a consequence which can not be avoided from a blood transfusion and can be life threatening. Excess iron can be detected in people who have received 20 units of blood. In many patients, transfusion needs may occur for life. In cases that are not diagnosed or untreated, excess iron in the body can cause liver damage, heart and hormonal glands.
The body has no natural mechanism to remove excess iron, so that the iron binding process is used as an effective treatment for excess iron caused by transfusion. In the iron binding process, the drug will bind iron contained in the body and tissues and help to throw through the urine and or faeces. Until now, deferoxamine is the standard first-line treatment in almost all countries in the world for the excess iron caused by blood transfusions. Although deferoxamine is considered effective for this, but because of how unpleasant gift, many patients are not optimally this therapy, so the risk to the dangers of excess iron.
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