What is epoetin used for?
Epoetin is used to treat severe anemia in patients on kidney dialysis or for those not on dialysis.
What are the side effects of taking erythropoietin?
Common side effects
- Allergic reaction. Rarely, some people have an allergic reaction to erythropoietin.
- Feeling sick or being sick. You may feel sick during treatment with erythropoietin.
- Diarrhoea.
- Blood clot risk.
- Headaches.
- High blood pressure.
- Muscle, joint or bone pain.
- Flu-like symptoms.
How often do you get PROCRIT shots?
This medication is given as an injection under the skin or into a vein as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 3 times a week. Patients getting this medication before surgery may have a special dosing schedule.
How do I know if epoetin alfa is working?
Your doctor will test your blood regularly—at least weekly at the beginning of your treatment—to make sure EPOGEN® is working. The test will measure your Hb or your hematocrit (hee-MAT-a-crit) levels, though most doctors measure Hb because it is a better way to check for anemia.
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.
Does erythropoietin increase hemoglobin?
Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the bone). In order to make red blood cells, the body maintains an adequate supply of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that is produced by the kidney. EPO helps make red blood cells. Having more red blood cells raises your hemoglobin levels.
Does PROCRIT make you tired?
Rarely, this medication may suddenly stop working well after a period of time because your body may make antibodies that make it work less well, and a very serious anemia can result. Tell your doctor right away if symptoms of anemia return (such as increased tiredness, low energy, pale skin color, shortness of breath).
Does PROCRIT help kidney function?
PROCRIT® (epoetin alfa) is used to treat a lower than normal number of red blood cells (anemia) caused by: Chronic kidney disease in patients on dialysis and not on dialysis. Chemotherapy that will be used for at least 2 months after starting PROCRIT®.
Is epoetin a chemotherapy drug?
Epoetin alfa is a supportive care medication. It does not treat cancer. Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy treatments. Epoetin alfa is not indicated for patients with cancers that originate in the bone marrow, such as acute myelogenous leukemia.
What is the best time to inject Epoetin?
Typically we give it when returning a dialysis patient, but most doctors say it is fine to inject EPO 20 to 25 minutes before dialysis patient termination by saying it is a protein.