Revolutionary new drug trialled by Monash scientist

Monash University scientist and clinician, Associate Professor Don Bowden will begin administering a revolutionary new drug to patients that will significantly change the quality of life for people with blood diseases.

The drug, known as Exjade, removes iron in people who need chronic blood transfusions for the treatment of major blood diseases such as Thalassemia Major. Chronic blood transfusions produce an unnaturally high level of iron in the body that has to be removed or else it will ultimately be fatal. 

Until now, the only effective treatment patients use to remove excess iron is by administering a drug by injection for ten hours every day that is very slowly released into the blood stream.  It usually means patients go to sleep each night attached to an injection.  Not only are the injections invasive but the drug is toxic and has been known to cause deafness and blindness. 

For patients, the introduction of Exjade means that they now have the option of taking a tablet only once a day.  Exjade is soluble and taken orally as a drink.  It acts in the body for 24 hours – with minimum side effects.  Although some patients have experienced rashes and stomach upsets, the side effects have generally settled down after a few weeks.   

“Patients treated for major blood diseases by transfusion are lining up to take Exjade because it will completely change the way they can live now their lives.  The idea that they no longer need to be connected to an injection for ten hours a day is completely overwhelming for all my patients,” Dr Bowden says. 

“Being able to take tablets once a day, will greatly improve the quality of life,” Dr Bowden says.

Exjade is also the first drug of its kind that has been made available for children as young as two.  Prior medication only allowed children aged four and older to be treated.  It provides hope for very young children.  

Professor Bowden who is a physician at the Monash Medical Centre and a researcher at Monash University has been involved in the continuing trials of Exjade.   He introduced Exjade to his patient groups and has provided advice to drug companies and clinical support to patients.  His role has been to evaluate the new drug and introduce it as necessary. 

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme made Exjade available to consumers on Friday 1st December 2006. 
 
For more information please contact; Renee Barnes in the media office on 9905 2020 or Associate Professor Don Bowden on 0427 224 272.