Why it is Prescribed
Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells) in people with chronic kidney failure (a condition where over a period of time there is a decrease in kidney function that is not reversible). Epoetin alfa is also used to treat anemia in people receiving certain medications, such as chemotherapy (medications to treat cancer) and zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir, in Trizivir, in Combivir), a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Epoetin alfa is also used before and after certain types of surgery to decrease the number of blood transfusions (transfer of one person's blood to another person's body) needed for expected or actual blood loss during surgery.Epoetin alfa is in a class of medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents ...
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Why it is Prescribed
Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia (a lower than normal number of red blood cells) in people with chronic kidney failure (a condition where over a period of time there is a decrease in kidney function that is not reversible). Epoetin alfa is also used to treat anemia in people receiving certain medications, such as chemotherapy (medications to treat cancer) and zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir, in Trizivir, in Combivir), a medication used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Epoetin alfa is also used before and after certain types of surgery to decrease the number of blood transfusions (transfer of one person's blood to another person's body) needed for expected or actual blood loss during surgery.Epoetin alfa is in a class of medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). It works by causing the bone marrow (soft ...
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Important Warning
Epoetin alfa increases the risk of serious and life-threatening events, including heart attack, heart failure, stroke, TIA (ministroke) or cerebrovascular accident (blood clot to the brain), pulmonary embolus (blood clot to the lung), deep vein thrombosis (blood clot to the blood vessels), and death when treatment results in a higher than recommended amount of hemoglobin (red blood cells) in the blood. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and/or swelling in the legs; shortness of breath; cough that won't go away or coughing up blood; chest pain, squeezing pressure, or tightness; nausea; vomiting; discomfort or pain in the arms, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back; fast or irregular heartbeat; sweating; swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; blue-grey coloring or darkening around mouth or nails; dizziness ...
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Brand Names
Epogen ® Procrit ®
How it Works
Epoetin alfa comes as a solution (liquid) to inject subcutaneously (just under the skin) or intravenously (into a vein). It is usually injected one to three times weekly. When epoetin alfa is used to prevent and treat anemia due to surgery, it is sometimes injected once daily for 10 days before surgery, on the day of surgery and for 4 days after surgery. Alternatively, epoetin alfa is sometimes injected once weekly, beginning 3 weeks before surgery, with a dose also on the day of surgery. To help you remember to use epoetin alfa, mark a calendar to keep track of when you are to receive a dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use epoetin alfa exactly as ...
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Other Uses
This medication may be prescribed for other uses, including anemia in premature (born too early) babies; anemia from rheumatoid arthritis (condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function); Castleman disease (spread of growths in certain parts of the body that can cause anemia); Gaucher's disease (buildup of a fatty substance in certain parts of the body that can cause liver, spleen, bone, and blood problems); myelodysplastic syndrome (a disease that causes bone marrow to make unhealthy red blood cells); paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (disease where red blood cells are destroyed and leave the body through the urine during sleep); and sickle cell anemia (a type of anemia in which red blood cells have an abnormal shape). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, and/or swelling in the legs
chest pain, squeezing pressure, or tightness
discomfort or pain in the arms, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back
fast or irregular heartbeat
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Precautions
Before using epoetin alfa,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to epoetin alfa, darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), medications made from animal cells, albumin, or any other medications, or if you are allergic to benzyl alcohol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't know if a medication you are allergic to is made from animal cells.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have had high blood pressure. Your doctor may tell you ...
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Possible Side Effects
Epoetin alfa may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
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Special Dietary Concerns
If you are following a prescribed special diet because you have kidney disease or high blood pressure, follow it carefully, even if you feel better while using epoetin alfa. Epoetin alfa will not work unless your body has enough iron. Your doctor or dietician will probably tell you to eat foods that are rich in iron. If you cannot get enough iron from your diet, your doctor may prescribe an iron supplement.Take this supplement exactly as directed.
Storage Conditions
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it in the refrigerator, but do not freeze it. Keep epoetin alfa away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom) and sunlight. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Throw away a multidose vial of epoetin alfa 21 days after you first use it. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
When traveling, place epoetin alfa in its original box in an insulated cooler with coolant such as blue ice. Do not place epoetin alfa vials directly on ice or coolants, and do not allow them to freeze. If a vial does freeze, do not use it. Once you arrive, place the medication in ...
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