Table 2.

Characteristics of Cheletors at present available.

Charatteristics	Deferoxamine	Deferiprone	Deferasirox
Dose (mg/Kg/day)	25–60	75	20–30
Route of administration	sc, ev (8–12 hours, 5days/week)	Orally, three times/day	Orally, once a day
Half life	20–30 min	3–4 hours	8–18 hours
Excretion	Urine, stools	Urine	Stools
Most important side effects	Local skin reactions, allergies, neuro-sensorial damage, growth retardation	Gastroenteric disorders, agranulocytosis / neutropenia arthralgias, liver enzyme elevation	Gastroenteric disorders, rush, mild not progressive creatinine elevation, liver enzyme elevation
Status	Approved	Approved except in USA/Canada	Approved