About Eprex (Epoetin, EPO) from Janssen-Cilag
Treating anemia in certain patients with kidney failure, patients with HIV taking zidovudine, or cancer patients receiving chemotherapy for at least 2 months. Epoetin Alfa is a glycoprotein. It works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
Epoetin (eh-POH-ee-tin) is a man-made version of human erythropoietin (EPO). EPO is produced naturally in the body, mostly by the kidneys. It stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. If the body does not produce enough EPO, severe anemia can occur. This often occurs in people whose kidneys are not working properly. Epoetin is used to treat severe anemia in these people.
Eprex Epoetin usage
Epoetin is usually given by a health care professional after a dialysis treatment. However, medicines given by injection are sometimes used at home. If you will be using epoetin at home, your health care professional will teach you how the injections are to be given. You will also have a chance to practice giving them. Be certain that you understand exactly how the medicine is to be injected .
Your doctor will need to check your blood at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
Epoetin Eprex Dosing
The dose of epoetin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of epoetin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For injection dosage form:
- For severe anemia:
- Adults and teenagers—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. Epoetin is injected into a vein or under the skin. How often you take this medicine must be determined by your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose to determine the best dose for you.
- Children 1 month to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. Epoetin is injected into a vein or under the skin. How often you take this medicine must be determined by your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose to determine the best dose for you.
- Children up to 1 month of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Eprex Epoetin Missed dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Eprex Epoetin Storage
To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store in the refrigerator. However, keep the medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using EPO
Epoetin sometimes causes convulsions (seizures), especially during the first 90 days of treatment. During this time, it is best to avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or other activities that could cause a serious injury if a seizure occurs while you are performing them.
People with severe anemia usually feel very tired and sick. When epoetin begins to work, usually in about 6 weeks, most people start to feel better. Some people are able to be more active. However, epoetin only corrects anemia. It has no effect on kidney disease or any other medical problem that needs regular medical attention. Therefore, even if you are feeling much better, it is very important that you do not miss any appointments with your doctor or any dialysis treatments .
Many people with kidney problems need to be on a special diet. Also, people with high blood pressure (which may be caused by kidney disease or by epoetin treatment) may need to be on a special diet and/or to take medicine to keep their blood pressure under control. After their anemia has been corrected, some people feel so much better that they want to eat more than before. To keep your kidney disease or your high blood pressure from getting worse, it is very important that you follow your special diet and take your medicines regularly , even if you are feeling better.
In addition to epoetin, your body needs iron to make red blood cells. Your doctor may direct you to take iron supplements. He or she may also direct you to take certain vitamins that help the iron work better. Be sure to follow your doctor's orders carefully , because epoetin will not work properly if there is not enough iron in your body.
If you are giving this medicine at home:
- Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
- Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given.
- Throw away used needles in a hard closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
Side Effects of Eprex Epoetin
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur :
More common-in any treatment group
Chest pain; shortness of breath
Less common-in any treatment group
Anxiety ; blurred vision ; convulsions (seizures); cough ; dizziness or lightheadedness; fainting ; fast heartbeat ; nausea ; pain or discomfort in arms, jaw, back or neck; pains in chest, groin, or legs, especially calves of legs ; severe headaches of sudden onset; sudden loss of coordination ; sudden and severe inability to speak ; slurred speech ; sudden vision changes; sweating ; temporary blindness; vomiting; weakness in arm and/or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common—for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure
Fever; headache; increased blood pressure; swelling of face, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs; vision problems; weight gain
Rare—for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure
Changes in skin color; changes in vision; double vision; migraine headache; pain, tenderness, swelling of foot or leg; pale skin; partial or complete loss of vision in eye; skin rash or hives; sore throat; tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over affected area; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness
More common—for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure who require dialysis (in addition to those listed above)
Cough; fast heartbeat; fever; redness or pain at the dialysis access site; sneezing; sore throat
More common—for zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients
Fever; headache; skin rash or hives
More common—for cancer patients on chemotherapy
Cough, sneezing or sore throat; fever; swelling of face, fingers, ankles, feet or lower legs; weight gain
More common—for surgical patients
Blood in urine, lower back pain, or pain or burning while urinating; fever; headache; increased blood pressure; skin rash or hives; swelling of face, fingers, ankles, feet or lower legs; swelling or pain in legs; weight gain
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Epoetin sometimes causes an influenza-like reaction, with symptoms such as muscle aches, bone pain, chills, shivering, and sweating, occurring about 1 or 2 hours after an injection. These symptoms usually go away within 12 hours. However, check with your doctor if this influenza-like reaction or any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common—in all treatment groups
Diarrhea; dizziness; nausea or vomiting
More common —for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure (in addition to those listed above)
Bone or joint pain, muscle aches, chills, shivering, sweating; general feeling of tiredness or weakness; itching or stinging at site of injection; loss of strength or energy; muscle pain or weakness
More common—for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure who require dialysis (in addition to those listed above)
Abdominal pain and swelling; constipation; cough; fever; sore throat; weight loss
More common —for zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients
Congestion in the lungs; cough; general feeling of tiredness or weakness; itching or stinging at site of injection; loss of strength or energy; muscle pain or weakness
More common—for cancer patients on chemotherapy
General feeling of tiredness or weakness; loss of strength or energy; muscle pain or weakness; tingling, burning or prickly sensation
More common—for surgical patients
Anxiety; constipation; heartburn or belching, acid or sour stomach; inability to sleep; itching or stinging at site of injection; skin pain; stomach discomfort, upset or pain
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Additional Information about Eprex EPO
For patients receiving epoetin who do not have anemia caused by kidney disease:
- The information about the importance of keeping dialysis appointments and following a special diet for people with kidney problems does not apply to you. However, your doctor may have other special directions for you to follow. Be sure to follow these directions carefully, even if you feel much better after receiving epoetin for a while.
—Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, epoetin is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
- Anemia caused by treatment of hepatitis C virus infection
- Anemia in critically ill patients who are in hospital intensive care units
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses
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