Type of medicine: hematopoietic; colony stimulating factor
Generic and brand names: epoetin alfa, injection; erythropoietin; Epogen; Procrit
This medicine is given by injection (a shot) to treat anemia caused by long-term kidney failure, cancer chemotherapy, and treatment with zidovudine in HIV patients.
It may also be used to decrease the need for transfusions for people who are having surgery. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Women who have stopped having periods may start menstruating again. Ask your healthcare provider about this and about the possible need for birth control.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Read the Medication Guide that comes in the medicine package when you start taking this medicine and each time you get a refill. The shots are usually given by a healthcare provider, either just under the skin or by IV injection into a vein.
Sometimes you can give yourself these shots or have someone at home give them to you. Be sure you know how and when to have shots and how much medicine to use. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. If you are using the IV injection, you will be shown how to give the shots through a special port put in by your healthcare provider. Use sterile, disposable syringes and needles. Use each syringe and needle only once and dispose of them safely, following your healthcare provider's instructions.
Carefully read and follow the directions that come in the package of medicine for preparing the shots. Wash your hands before using this medicine. Follow these steps to give yourself the shots just under the skin:
If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.
Try not to miss a dose. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: seizures; chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; sudden severe headache; trouble speaking or walking; sudden loss of balance; severe confusion; sudden or severe dizziness; fainting; redness, pain, or swelling in arms or legs; fever; severe shortness of breath or coughing; sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body; sudden vision problems.
This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers who have received special training should prescribe it. Before you can begin to receive this medicine, you must sign a special form to document that your healthcare provider discussed the risks of this medicine with you. Make sure you understand what the risks and benefits of treatment are.
You need regular blood tests while you are receiving this medicine. A high level of hemoglobin in your blood may increase the chance of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, blood clots, and death. You may also need to monitor your blood pressure while taking this medicine. If you have cancer, your tumor may grow faster. Talk with your provider about this.
You need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about diet and taking iron or vitamin supplements.
Seizures are a possible side effect of treatment with this medicine. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
This medicine may change your blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked often and report any changes to your healthcare provider.
If you are on dialysis, your dialysis access may become blocked. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine is made from human tissue. It is tested for viruses such as hepatitis and HIV. The risk of getting an infection from this medicine is very low, but it is still possible. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care or surgery, tell the healthcare provider you are taking this medicine. If you take this medicine before surgery, this medicine may increase your chance of a blood clot. Your healthcare provider may give you a medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to contact your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing), seizures.
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; redness, pain, or swelling in arms or legs; seizures; severe confusion; severe shortness of breath or coughing; sudden loss of balance; numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body; sudden or severe dizziness; sudden or severe headache; sudden vision problems; trouble speaking or walking; unusual tiredness.
Other: Cough, diarrhea, fever, headache, loss of appetite, muscle or joint pain, nausea, sore mouth, trouble sleeping, vomiting, weight loss.
No significant drug interactions have been reported. Tell your provider about any other medicines you take that affect the blood, such as darbepoetin (Aranesp) or warfarin (Coumadin).
Do not drink alcohol while receiving this medicine without your healthcare provider’s approval.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine in the original container in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Do not shake the vials. Protect the medicine from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
Single-use vials can only be used one time. Dispose of any unused medicine in the vial as directed by your healthcare provider. If you have the multi-dose vials, discard any unused medicine 21 days after you put a needle into the vial.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
