Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Epogen.
Chemical Name: EPOETIN (eh-POH-ee-tin) ALFA
Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution is a glycoprotein used to treat anemia in certain patients with kidney failure, patients with HIV taking zidovudine, or cancer patients receiving chemotherapy for at least 2 months. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Clinical studies have shown Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution to increase the risk of serious side effects (eg, blood clots, stroke, heart attack, heart failure) and death in some cases. It has also been shown to shorten the overall survival and/or increase the risk of tumor growth or recurrence in patients with certain types of cancer. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution. Do not use more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of seizures, kidney problems (eg, decreased kidney function; kidney failure), blood problems (eg, sickle cell anemia, porphyria, hemolytic anemia, thalassemia), bleeding or clotting problems, stroke, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease), diabetes, high blood pressure, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have blood in your stools; an infection or recent injury; cancer; certain bone problems (eg, osteofibrosis cystica); an inflammatory condition (eg, bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis); low blood iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 levels; or high blood aluminum levels. Tell your doctor if you are on hemodialysis, have recently had surgery, or are scheduled to have surgery. USE OF EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain blood cell problems (eg, aplasia, or you are allergic to human albumin or to products that come from mammalian cells. EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION MAY CONTAIN BENZYL ALCOHOL, which may cause serious and sometimes fatal reactions in premature infants and newborns. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you product has benzyl alcohol in it. USE OF EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION IN CHILDREN younger than 1 month old is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution.
Follow the directions for using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution provided by your doctor. Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution refilled. Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. IF YOU ARE USING EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION AT HOME, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions. DO NOT USE EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged. WHEN DRAWING A DOSE INTO A SYRINGE, be sure to follow the procedure demonstrated to you to prevent contamination of the vial, syringe, or medicine. Never touch the rubber stopper of the vial or the needle of the syringe with your fingers. ALWAYS CAREFULLY CHECK that you have drawn up the correct dose before administration. DO NOT SHAKE Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution. DO NOT DILUTE Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution or use it with other solutions. IF YOU ARE USING A SINGLE-DOSE VIAL, throw away any medicine left in the vial after you have used your dose. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider if you have questions about whether you are using a single-dose vial. CONTINUE TO USE EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION IS USUALLY HANDLED AND STORED by a health care provider. If you are using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution at home, store Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION, contact your doctor immediately.
DO NOT USE EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION if you are allergic to any ingredient in Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution, to human albumin, or to products that come from mammalian cells. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS for Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution to work. Do not stop taking Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution without checking with your doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE of Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution without checking with your doctor. The risk of serious side effects may be greater if you use Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution in high doses. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including kidney function, blood pressure, complete blood counts, and hemoglobin levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution. Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution may cause dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution. Using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform potentially dangerous tasks. RARELY, EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION CAN LOSE ITS EFFECTIVESS after a period of time and a very serious anemia can result. Tell your doctor immediately if symptoms of anemia recur, such as increased fatigue/weakness or pale skin color. EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION CONTAINS ALBUMIN, which comes from human blood. There is an extremely rare risk of developing a viral disease or a central nervous system disease called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. No cases of viral diseases or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease from albumin have been identified. SOME PATIENTS WHO HAVE STOPPED HAVING MENSTRUAL PERIODS may experience a return of menstrual periods following treatment with Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution. Talk with your health care provider if you have questions about the possibility of becoming pregnant or the need for birth control BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you use Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution include constipation; cough; diarrhea; headache; indigestion; joint or muscle aches; nausea; respiratory congestion; sleeplessness; stinging at the injection site; stomach pain; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience calf pain or tenderness; chest pain; confusion; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased fatigue/weakness; fast or irregular heartbeat; irritation at the injection site; numbness or pain of an arm or leg; numbness or tingling of the skin; one-sided weakness; pale skin color; seizures; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; sudden severe headache, dizziness, vomiting, or fainting; sudden trouble walking or loss of balance; swelling of the fingers, ankles, or legs; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech problems; or weight gain. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Epogen 2000unit/ml Solution is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Epogen
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
FOLLOW THE DIET AND EXERCISE PROGRAM AND DIALYSIS INSTRUCTIONS exactly as they were given to you by your health care provider. DO NOT SHARE EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE EPOGEN 2000UNIT/ml SOLUTION for other health conditions. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
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