EPOGEN® increases hemoglobin (Hb) levels and decreases the need for blood transfusions. Your doctor will determine the appropriate Hb level for you to reduce the need for blood transfusions. EPOGEN® should not be used in place of emergency red blood cell transfusions to treat anemia.

What is the therapeutic effect of epoetin alfa?

Epoetin alfa acts like this natural substance to stimulate red blood cell production. During chemotherapy, patients may not be able to produce enough red blood cells, a condition known as anemia. Epoetin alfa can treat anemia by increasing the number of red blood cells in the body.

What does EPOGEN help with?

This medication is used to treat anemia (low red blood cell count) in people with long-term serious kidney disease (chronic kidney failure), people receiving zidovudine to treat HIV, and people receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer (cancer that does not involve the bone marrow or blood cells).

How quickly does EPOGEN work?

It takes time for your body to make new red blood cells and raise your hemoglobin (Hb) level. With EPOGEN® treatment, Hb levels usually increase in 2 to 6 weeks. Your doctor will test your blood regularly—at least weekly at the beginning of your treatment—to make sure EPOGEN® is working.

What is the purpose of epoetin?

If the body does not produce enough EPO, severe anemia can occur. This often occurs in patients with chronic kidney disease whose kidneys are not working properly. Epoetin is used to treat severe anemia in patients on kidney dialysis or for those not on dialysis.

What is the most common adverse effect of epoetin?

Commonly reported side effects of epoetin alfa include: upper respiratory tract infection, arthralgia, decreased serum iron, diarrhea, edema, fever, low serum ferritin, paresthesia, respiratory congestion, skin rash, tachycardia, cough, dyspnea, headache, nausea, signs and symptoms of injection site, and vomiting.

What are EPOGEN injections?

Indication. EPOGEN® is a prescription medicine used to treat a lower than normal number of red blood cells (anemia) caused by chronic kidney disease in patients on dialysis to reduce or avoid the need for red blood cell transfusions.

How is EPOGEN given?

Epogen can be injected directly into a layer of fat under your skin. This is called a subcutaneous injection. When giving subcutaneous injections, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about changing the site for each injection. You may wish to write down the site where you have injected.

What is venofer used for?

This medicine is used to treat “iron-poor” blood (anemia) in people with long-term kidney disease. You may need extra iron because of blood loss during kidney dialysis. Your body may also need more iron if you use the drug erythropoietin to help make new red blood cells.

What is EPOGEN used for in dialysis?

Epogen is indicated for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD), including patients on dialysis and not on dialysis to decrease the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion.

Does EPOGEN increase platelets?

Epo increases platelet count.

Haemoglobin and thrombocyte counts of patients treated with Epo or placebo after 5 days.

How does EPO improve performance?

EPO stimulates the production of red blood cells in bone marrow and regulates the concentration of red blood cells and haemoglobin in the blood. This is useful for athletes, since red blood cells shuttle oxygen to the cells, including muscle cells, enabling them to operate more effectively.

Does EPOGEN cause high blood pressure?

High blood pressure is a common side effect of Epogen in people with chronic kidney disease. Your blood pressure may go up or be difficult to control with blood pressure medicine while taking Epogen.

Does epoetin alfa lower BP?

Epoetin alfa may sometimes cause or worsen high blood pressure, especially in patients with long-term kidney failure. This effect may be caused by the number of red blood cells increasing too quickly, usually within the first 3 months of starting treatment.

What means hematocrit?

Listen to pronunciation. (hee-MA-toh-krit) The amount of whole blood that is made up of red blood cells. It depends on the number and size of red blood cells.

What is another name for erythropoietin?

Erythropoietin (/ɪˌrɪθroʊˈpɔɪ. ɪtɪn, -rə-, -pɔɪˈɛtɪn, -ˈiːtɪn/; EPO), also known as erythropoetin, haematopoietin, or haemopoietin, is a glycoprotein cytokine secreted mainly by the kidneys in response to cellular hypoxia; it stimulates red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) in the bone marrow.

Does EPOGEN increase hemoglobin?

EPOGEN® increases hemoglobin (Hb) levels and decreases the need for blood transfusions. Your doctor will determine the appropriate Hb level for you to reduce the need for blood transfusions. EPOGEN® should not be used in place of emergency red blood cell transfusions to treat anemia.

Does epoetin lower blood pressure?

Epo increases BP directly and notably independently of its erythropoietic effect and its effect on blood rheology.

What are the contraindications of epoetin alfa?

Who should not take PROCRIT?
inadequate folic acid.inadequate vitamin B12.porphyria.anemia from inadequate iron.high blood pressure.significant uncontrolled high blood pressure.a heart attack.coronary artery disease.