Brand Name
Eprex
Common Name
epoetin alfa
In this drug factsheet:
DIN (Drug Identification Number)| 02243401 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 6000 IU/0.6 ML |
| 02243403 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 8000 IU/0.8 ML |
| 02231587 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 10000IU/1.0ML |
| 02126591 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 10000IU/ML |
| 02231583 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 1000IU/0.5ML |
| 02243239 | EPREX 20000U/0.5ML SYRINGE |
| 02206072 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 20000IU/ML |
| 02231584 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 2000IU/0.5ML |
| 02126575 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 2000IU/ML |
| 02231585 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 3000IU/0.3ML |
| 02240722 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 40000IU/ML |
| 02231586 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 4000IU/0.4ML |
| 02126583 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 4000IU/ML |
| 02243400 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 5000IU/0.5ML |
| 02288680 | EPREX STERILE SOLUTION 30000IU/0.75ML SYRINGE |
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Erythropoietin is produced naturally in the body, mostly by the kidneys. It gives bone marrow the signal to produce red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen in the blood. If the body does not produce enough erythropoietin, severe anemia (lack of oxygen reaching the different parts of the body) can occur.
Eprex® is synthetic erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) and is used to replace the erythropoietin that is lacking in people who can't make enough, usually because their kidneys are not working properly. Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), whether or not they are on dialysis.
Epoetin alfa is also used to treat people with cancer who develop anemia because of chemotherapy treatment. When chemotherapy is given to people with cancer, their bodies may not be able to produce enough erythropoietin. As a result, they can become anemic. Epoetin alfa has only been studied in people who have non-myeloid cancers (cancers other than bone marrow cancers).
Epoetin alfa is also used to treat anemia before certain surgeries and for people with HIV who are taking the medication zidovudine. It can also be used to increase RBC production in certain patients scheduled for surgery. It takes at least 2 weeks (and as long as 6 weeks) for a noticeable response to the medication.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
How should I use this medication?
Epoetin alfa is available only as an injection, which is given subcutaneously (under the skin) or intravenously (into a vein). People who receive the medication under the skin can usually be taught to self-administer the medication. Be sure you understand exactly how it is to be injected, as instructed by your doctor or nurse. People who need to receive the medication into a vein will need to have the medication administered by a doctor or nurse.
For anemia in adults with kidney disease or HIV, the usual starting dose is 50 IU to 100 IU per kilogram body weight for 3 times a week.
For children with chronic renal failure, the starting dose for anemia is 50 IU per kilogram body weight for 3 times a week.
For people with anemia due to chemotherapy, the starting dose is 150 IU subcutaneously for 3 times a week, or 40,000 IU subcutaneously once weekly.
When epoetin alfa is used in people scheduled for surgery, higher doses are used.
Your doctor may need to adjust the dose according to your body's response to the medication. Adjustments usually involve blood tests and are not done more often than once every 4 weeks. While you are being treated with epoetin alfa, your doctor may want you to take iron supplements to help the medication work as well as possible.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice
Epoetin alfa should be refrigerated and protected from light. Do not shake the medication before use.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
HSA-containing formulation multi-use vials
Each mL of sterile solution contains epoetin alfa 20,000 IU. Nonmedicinal ingredients: albumin (human; 0.25%) as stabilizer, benzyl alcohol (0.9%) as the preservative, citric acid, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, and water for injection.
Polysorbate-80 containing (HSA-free) formulation prefilled syringes
Each syringe of sterile solution contains epoetin alfa 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 8,000, 10,000, 20,000, or 40,000 IU. Nonmedicinal ingredients: glycine and polysorbate 80 as stabilizers, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic dihydrate, sodium phosphate monobasic dihydrate, and water for injection.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Epoetin alfa should not be used by anyone who:
- is allergic to epoetin alfa or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- is allergic to medications made from mammalian cells
- is scheduled for surgery and has severe disease of the heart or blood vessels
- has developed a condition called pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) after using erythropoiesis-stimulating proteins (e.g., epoetin alfa, darbepoetin alfa)
- has uncontrolled high blood pressure
Premature and newborn infants should not receive epoetin alfa from the multi-dose vials as they contain benzyl alcohol.
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