Epoetin Alfa, Injection

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: hematopoietic

Generic and brand names: epoetin alfa, injection; erythropoietin; Epogen; Procrit

What is this medicine used for?

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.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicines
• a stroke
• blood clotting problems or a blood disorder
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• porphyria (nerve pain or sensitivity to sunlight)
• seizures

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.

How do I use it?

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:

1. Your healthcare provider will tell you where you can give yourself the shots (abdomen, thigh, upper arm, or other sites). If you are giving the shot in your abdomen, choose a site around the belly button but not in the belly button. Each day, choose a different spot for the shot to lessen irritation.
2. Use an alcohol swab to clean the skin where you will give yourself the shot.
3. Gently pinch up the skin and insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. After you insert the needle completely, release your grasp of the skin.
4. Gently pull back on the plunger of the syringe. If no blood appears, inject all of the solution by gently and steadily pushing down the plunger. If blood appears when you pull back on the plunger, withdraw the needle and syringe and gently press the alcohol swab on the injection site. Start over with a fresh needle and choose a difference injection site.
5. After you have given yourself the shot, withdraw the needle and syringe and press an alcohol swab on the spot where the shot was given.
6. Discard the syringe, needle, and drug vial. Use the syringes and needles ONLY ONCE. Throw them away after use. Put used needles in rigid puncture-resistant containers with lids or caps, such as heavy plastic bleach bottles with screw caps. DO NOT throw needles directly into garbage cans or dumpsters.
7. When you repeat the procedure, use a new pack.

If you are not sure of how to give yourself the shots, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for help.

What if I miss a dose?

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.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

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.

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.

Keep all your appointments for shots and blood tests, and follow any special diet prescribed by your healthcare provider.

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.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions exactly about having dialysis treatments at regular intervals.

You may have to take an iron medicine to help make this medicine work better. Your healthcare provider will decide this.

What are the possible side effects?

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).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Seizures; chest pain; irregular heartbeat; unusual tiredness; trouble speaking; severe confusion; dizziness; fainting; redness, pain, or swelling in arms or legs; fever; severe shortness of breath or coughing.

Other: Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, cough, muscle aches, redness, pain, swelling, or itching at the site of injection.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

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.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator. Do not let it freeze. Do not shake the vials. Protect the medicine from heat and sunlight.

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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.

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