Data from randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and large, non-randomised, community-based studies have demonstrated that either of the FDA-approved dosing schedules of epoetin alfa 150 - 300 U/kg three times weekly or 40,000-60,000 U/week s.c., significantly increases haemoglobin levels, reduces transfusion requirements, and improves quality of life in anaemic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy.
Full Answer
What should I know about epoetin alfa before taking it?
Do not use epoetin alfa from a multi-dose vial when giving medicine to a baby. The multi-dose vial contains an ingredient that can cause serious side effects or death in very young infants or premature babies. Epoetin alfa may speed up tumor growth, or shorten remission or survival time in some people with certain types of cancer.
How do you administer epoetin alfa?
Epoetin alfa is available in single-dose, preservative-free, or multi-dose, preserved vials. This medication can be administered via the intravenous or subcutaneous route. Subcutaneous is the preferred route for administration except in patients with end-stage kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis.
Is epoetin alfa safe for patients with CKD-nod?
Epoetin Alfa was well tolerated; most adverse events were mild or moderate in nature and typical of the CKD patient population. In this study, results demonstrated that epoetin alfa can be initiated safely and effectively at an extended dosing interval of 20,000 IU every 2 wk in patients with CKD-NOD.
What is erythropoietin Alfa?
Epoetin alfa is recombinant human erythropoietin, which is nearly identical to the endogenous hormone erythropoietin (EPO). Erythropoietin occurs in the peritubular cells of the kidney.
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.
What lab values do you monitor for epoetin alfa?
Monitoring and Testing While Taking Epoetin Alfa You will be monitored regularly by your doctor while you are taking epoetin alfa. Tests will include blood tests (specifically hemoglobin and hematocrit) and blood pressure measurements.
What labs do you monitor for epoetin?
These include a complete blood count, or CBC. Your provider may also order other tests for anemia. These could include tests for iron levels, total iron binding capacity level, ferritin levels, and reticulocyte counts.
What is the therapeutic goal outcome of epoetin alfa?
Conclusion: Epoetin alfa is effective in improving the functional status and quality of life in anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, as well as increasing hemoglobin level and decreasing transfusion requirements.
Does EPO increase hematocrit?
The correlation is strong and negative. The value of EPO increases with the decrease of hematocrit.
Does erythropoietin require lab monitoring?
Why isn't erythropoietin measured to monitor erythropoietin drug therapy? It is not used because it is the effect on the bone marrow – reflected by increased RBC and reticulocyte production and increasing hemoglobin – that is important in the resolution of anemia, not the concentration of erythropoietin in the blood.
What is the normal range of erythropoietin levels in the blood?
The normal range is 2.6 to 18.5 milliunits per milliliter (mU/mL). The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories.
Why is reticulocyte count important?
A reticulocyte count can help your doctor learn if your bone marrow is producing enough red blood cells. If your red blood cell count is too low or too high, your body will try to achieve a better balance by producing and releasing more or less reticulocytes.
Does erythropoietin increase platelets?
Background and objective: Erythropoietin (Epo) is the primary growth factor for the red cell lineage but treatment with recombinant human Epo (rHuEpo) has been shown to increase platelet counts.
How much does Epogen increase hemoglobin?
By the end of the study, average hemoglobin increased to approximately 11 g/dL in the EPOGEN®-treated patients and remained unchanged in patients receiving placebo.
What are the indication for erythropoietin?
The two primary FDA-approved indications for ESAs are anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease and chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with cancer.
How does erythropoietin affect blood pressure?
It is believed that increase in hematocrit and blood viscosity after treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin alters vascular responsiveness and increases vascular resistance, which leads to hypertension [23].
How to know if epoetin alfa is bad?
Call your pharmacist for new medicine. Do not shake epoetin alfa or you may ruin it. Call your doctor if you feel weak, tired, or light-headed. These may be signs that your body has stopped responding to epoetin alfa. You may need frequent medical tests to be sure this medicine is not causing harmful effects.
What is epoetin alfa used for?
Epoetin alfa is also used to treat anemia in adults taking zidovudine to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Epoetin alfa is also used to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in adults having certain types of surgery. Epoetin alfa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
How is epoetin alfa injected?
Epoetin alfa is injected under the skin, or as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use epoetin alfa if you don't understand all instructions for proper use.
What is the protein that helps the body produce red blood cells?
Epoetin alfa is a man-made form of a protein that helps your body produce red blood cells. This protein may be reduced when you have kidney failure or use certain medications. When fewer red blood cells are produced, you can develop a condition called anemia.
What are the risks of using epoetin alfa?
Tell your doctor if you have ever had: heart disease, high blood pressure; a heart attack, stroke, or blood clot; a seizure disorder; phenylketonuria (PKU); or. kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).
How long after first use of a syringe can you throw away?
Throw away any leftover medicine in a multi-dose vial 21 days after the first use. Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
What are the symptoms of a blood clot?
signs of a blood clot--pain, swelling, warmth, redness, cold feeling, or pale appearance of an arm or leg; or. signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance. Call your doctor at once if you have:
