Description deferiprone is an oral iron chelator used as a second line agent in thalassemia syndromes when iron overload from blood transfusions occurs. thalassemias are a type of hereditary anaemia due a defect in the production of hemoglobin. as a result, erythropoiesis, the production of new red blood cells, is impaired. fda approved on october 14, 2011.indication :deferiprone is indicated in thalassemia syndromes when first line chelation agents are not adequate to treat transfusional iron overload.mechanism of action deferiprone "is an iron chelator that binds to ferric ions (iron iii) and forms a 3:1 (deferiprone:iron) stable complex and is then eliminated in the urine. deferiprone is more selective for iron in which other metals such as zinc, copper, and aluminum have a lower affinity for deferiprone.