Epoetin alfa is used for treatment of anemia (low hemoglobin or abnormally reduced number of red blood cells) related to severe kidney disease, cancer chemotherapy for certain tumors, or due to zidovudine treatment for HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Epoetin alfa is also used in moderately anemic patients scheduled to have major bone surgery (hip or knee replacement surgery) to reduce the need for blood transfusion.
How it works
Epoetin alfa belongs to an identical type of human glycoprotein hormone called erythropoietin. Epoetin alfa works by stimulating red blood cell production.
Dosage
Always follow the instructions of doctor regarding the dosage and duration.
Adults and children with kidney disease: 50 IU/kg body weight, thrice weekly.
Adults receiving chemotherapy: 150 IU/kg body weight thrice weekly or 450 IU/kg body weight once weekly.
Adults donating their own blood: 600 IU/kg body weight twice weekly.
Adults scheduled to have major bone surgery: 600 IU/kg body weight once weekly.
Common side effects
Fits (seizures), headache, formation of blood clots in dialysis shunt (connection between a vein and an artery, usually in the forearm or upper arm), stroke, blood clotting (deep vein thrombosis), high blood pressure (hypertension), blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), fever (pyrexia), nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, redness, burning and pain at the site of injection.
swelling of the ankles, feet or fingers, muscle, joint, or bone pain or stiffness (arthralgia), influenza like illness (especially in severe kidney failure and cancer patients).
Who should not take
Individuals allergic to epoetin alfa or any of its ingredients.
Patients developing a disease called pure red cell aplasia (decline of red blood cells produced by the bone marrow) after treatment with any erythropoietin.
Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension).
Surgery patients who cannot receive adequate antithrombotic treatment.
Epoetin alfa is used for treatment of anemia (low hemoglobin or abnormally reduced number of red blood cells) related to severe kidney disease, cancer chemotherapy for certain tumors, or due to zidovudine treatment for HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Epoetin alfa is also used in moderately anemic patients scheduled to have major bone surgery (hip or knee replacement surgery) to reduce the need for blood transfusion.
How it works
Epoetin alfa belongs to an identical type of human glycoprotein hormone called erythropoietin. Epoetin alfa works by stimulating red blood cell production.
Dosage
Always follow the instructions of doctor regarding the dosage and duration.
Adults and children with kidney disease: 50 IU/kg body weight, thrice weekly.
Adults receiving chemotherapy: 150 IU/kg body weight thrice weekly or 450 IU/kg body weight once weekly.
Adults donating their own blood: 600 IU/kg body weight twice weekly.
Adults scheduled to have major bone surgery: 600 IU/kg body weight once weekly.
Common side effects
Fits (seizures), headache, formation of blood clots in dialysis shunt (connection between a vein and an artery, usually in the forearm or upper arm), stroke, blood clotting (deep vein thrombosis), high blood pressure (hypertension), blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), fever (pyrexia), nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, redness, burning and pain at the site of injection.
swelling of the ankles, feet or fingers, muscle, joint, or bone pain or stiffness (arthralgia), influenza like illness (especially in severe kidney failure and cancer patients).
Who should not take
Individuals allergic to epoetin alfa or any of its ingredients.
Patients developing a disease called pure red cell aplasia (decline of red blood cells produced by the bone marrow) after treatment with any erythropoietin.
Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension).
Surgery patients who cannot receive adequate antithrombotic treatment.