Renal function in patients with thalassemia major receiving Exjade® dispersible tablets and a new film-coated tablet formulation of deferasirox (Nanojade®)

Background: In patients with beta-thalassemia major (TM), one of the long-term complications of regular blood transfusion is renal dysfunction. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the renal function in TM patients receiving Exjade (R) dispersible tablets and a new film-coated tablet formulation of deferasirox (Nanojade (R)). Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 80 TM patients aged 11-48-year-old entered the study. Patients received 20-30 mg/kg/d (single dose) Exjade (R) (Exjade group, n = 40) and Nanojade (R) (Nanojade group, n = 40) orally. To evaluated renal function, serum creatinine (S-Cr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-h urine protein (UPro), U-Ca/U-Cr, spot U-Pro/U-Cr ratio, and serum ferritin were calculated at baseline and every 3 months to 9 months. Results: There was no significant difference in S-Cr, BUN, eGFR, 24-h UPro, U-Pro/U-Cr ratio, U-Ca/U-Cr ratio, and serum ferritin between groups at baseline and end of study (Pbaseline > 0.05, Pend of study > 0.05). There was no significant difference in proteinuria between groups at baseline and end of study (Pbaseline > 0.05, Pend of study > 0.05). Conclusions: The proportion of SCr, BUN, eGFR, 24-h U-Pro, U-Pro/UCr ratio, and U-Ca/U-Cr ratio was not significantly different in TM patients treated with Nanojade (R) compared to patients' received Exjade (R). Nanojade (R) had similar effects to Exjade (R), and therefore, the use of Nanojade (R) is safe in TM patients and does not seem to be associated with increased renal failure, proteinuria, and hypercalciuria.