<prompt> Oral iron chelating agent -PenicillamineDesferrioxamineDeferiproneCa Na EDTA  <response>: Ans. is c i.e., Deferiprone Deferiprone It is an orally active iron chelator which has simplified the treatment of transfusion siderosis in thalassemia patients. Excessive haemolysis occurs in these patients, and they have to be given repeated blood transfusions. An iron chelator has to be used to clear the resulting iron overload. Oral deferiprone is a somewhat less effective alternative to injected desferrioxamine. Side effects and cost of treatment are reduced. Deferiprone has also been indicated for acute iron poisoning less effective than desferrioxamine and for iron load in liver cirrhosis. Side effects are anorexia, vomiting, altered taste, joint pain, reversible neutropenia, rarely agranulocytosis. However, long-term safety is not yet known. 