Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my deferasirox

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your deferasirox using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for deferasirox, Canadian Prescription Savings for deferasirox, deferasirox Drug Coupons, deferasirox Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is deferasirox available in?

Accepted Answer

deferasirox is available as 90 mg, 180 mg, and 360 mg granules.

Question 3

What is deferasirox used for?

Accepted Answer

deferasirox is a chelating agent and is used to treat chronic iron overload (high iron levels in the blood for a long period of time) in people age 2 years and older who receive regular blood transfusions, and people age 10 years and older with a genetic blood condition called non-transfusion-dependent thalassemias (NTDT).

Question 4

How does deferasirox work?

Accepted Answer

deferasirox is a chelating agent. It attaches to iron in your blood and allows your body to get rid of the extra iron through stool.

Question 5

How do I take deferasirox?

Accepted Answer

deferasirox is dosed as follows:

Chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions:

Tablets (Jadenu) or granules (deferasirox): The usual starting dose is 14 mg/kg of body weight by mouth once daily on an empty stomach or with a light meal, such as jelly or skim milk. The maximum dose is 28 mg/kg of body weight once daily

Chronic iron overload in NTDT:

Tablets (Jadenu) or granules (deferasirox): The usual starting dose is 7 mg/kg of body weight by mouth once daily on an empty stomach or with a light meal, such as jelly or skim milk. The maximum dose is 14 mg/kg of body weight once daily

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take deferasirox?

Accepted Answer

JADENU is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have an estimated GFR less than 40 mL/min/1.73 m2, poor performance status, high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), advanced malignancy, platelet count less than 50 x 109/L or a known hypersensitivity to deferasirox or any component of JADENU.

Question 7

deferasirox Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of JADENU include:  Diarrhea Stomach pain Nausea Vomiting Higher protein levels in urine Higher creatinine levels in blood Skin rash

Question 8

deferasirox Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with JADENU. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Sudden kidney injury: feeling sick or weak, dehydration, urinating less than usual, confusion, blood in urine, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet Liver damage: feeling tired or weak, poor appetite, losing weight without trying, dark urine, eyes and skin turning more yellow, upper right stomach pain Stomach bleeding: stomach pain, black and tarry stools, blood in the urine Low blood cell counts: frequent fevers or infections, bruise or bleed more easily, nose bleeds that don’t stop Severe skin reactions: rash, skin pain or peeling, blisters, fever, sore throat, fatigue, facial swelling, swollen lips

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on deferasirox

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with JADENU:  Do not take JADENU with aluminum-containing antacid preparations JADENU increases the exposure of repaglinide. Consider repaglinide dose reduction and monitor blood glucose levels Avoid the use of JADENU with theophylline as theophylline levels could be increased JADENU increases exposure of busulfan. Monitor plasma concentrations of busulfan when coadministered with JADENU to allow dose adjustment of busulfan, as needed

Question 10

Who makes deferasirox?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is deferasirox safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

It is not known if JADENU can harm your unborn baby. Hormonal forms of birth control may not be as effective if used during treatment with JADENU. You could become pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about other birth control options that you can use during this time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant during treatment with JADENU.

Question 12

What is the brand name for deferasirox?

Accepted Answer

JADENU SPRINKLEJADENUEXJADE

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my deferasirox prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your deferasirox prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient deferasirox savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient deferasirox savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for deferasirox	Canadian Prescription Savings* for deferasirox	deferasirox Drug Coupon*	deferasirox Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of deferasirox?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for deferasirox	Canadian Prescription Savings* for deferasirox	deferasirox Drug Coupon*	deferasirox Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the deferasirox savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the deferasirox drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for deferasirox, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the deferasirox prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, deferasirox is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed deferasirox for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the deferasirox prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the deferasirox prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for deferasirox

If you are having trouble paying for your deferasirox medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for deferasirox you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
deferasirox is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers deferasirox
If deferasirox is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for deferasirox

If you are having trouble paying for your deferasirox medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for deferasirox you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers deferasirox
If deferasirox is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for deferasirox

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your deferasirox treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for deferasirox you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for deferasirox
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.