The Adverse Effects of Thalassemia Treatments Including Blood Transfusion and Main Pharmacological Therapies

Beta-thalassemia major (β-TM) is a disorder which needs lifelong blood transfusions. Our aim was to examine the treatments side effects in thalassemic patients. 110 β-TM patients attending two centers were invited to the study. Those who consented were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographical information, used medications and their side effects. The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 14. Data was collected between August 2008 and July 2009. Patients'' age was 14.0±1.32 years. The duration of treatment was 11.3±7.5 years. Thalassemic patients received blood transfusions, deferoxamine and supportive medications. Number of medications, received by patients was 3.9±1.9. Hemosiderosis in heart (11%) and endocrine system (8%) were main blood transfusion side effects. A few had hepatitis B or C. Because of prevalence of side effects of therapies, reviewing and improving treatment protocol by designing new medicines with lower side effects and establishment of an adverse reactions team seemed necessary