epogen
epoetin alfa (ee poe EE tin AL fa)
Epogen, Procrit
What is the most important information I should know about Epogen?
• Do not give yourself an injection if you are not sure how to inject yourself,how much to inject, and how often to inject your medication epogen. Call your doctor,nurse, or pharmacist for help with the instructions epogen.
• During the first 3 months of treatment with Epogen, use caution whendriving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities epogen. Epogenhas been reported to cause seizures in patients on dialysis, although this sideeffect is uncommon epogen. If seizures occur, they generally do so during the first90 days of treatment epogen.
What is Epogen?
• Epogen is a man-made form of a naturally occurring protein called erythropoietin epogen. Erythropoietin is produced in the kidney and stimulates the production of redblood cells epogen. The amount of erythropoietin in the body may be diminished whenthe kidneys are damaged epogen. Medications may also decrease the number of red bloodcells epogen.
• Epogen is used to treat anemia by stimulating red blood cell production epogen.
• Epogen may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide epogen.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Epogen?
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have
· high blood pressure;
· heart disease;
· cancer; or
· epilepsy or another seizure disorder epogen.
• You may not be able to use Epogen, or you may require a lower dose orspecial monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above epogen.
• Epogen is in the FDA pregnancy category C epogen. This means that it is notknown whether Epogen will harm an unborn baby epogen. Do not use this medication withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant epogen.
• It is also not known whether Epogen passes into breast milk epogen. Do not usethis medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feedinga baby epogen.
How should I use Epogen?
• Use Epogen exactly as directed by your doctor epogen. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou epogen.
• Epogen may be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) or intravenously(into a vein) epogen. Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will give you specific instructionson how and where to inject your medication epogen. Do not give yourself an injectionif you are not sure how to inject yourself, how much to inject, or how oftento inject your medication epogen. Call your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for help withthe instructions epogen.
• Allow the medication to reach room temperature before measuring a dose epogen.
• Do not shake the vial of Epogen epogen. Vigorous shaking can ruin the medication epogen.
• Properly store and discard all syringes and needles epogen.
• Store Epogen in the refrigerator at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46degrees Fahrenheit) away from light, moisture, and the reach of children epogen.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of this medication epogen.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention epogen.
• Symptoms of an Epogen overdose are not known epogen.
What should I avoid while using Epogen?
• During the first 3 months of treatment with Epogen, use caution whendriving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities epogen. Epogenhas been reported to cause seizures in patients on dialysis, although this sideeffect is uncommon epogen. If seizures occur, they generally do so during the first90 days of treatment epogen.
What are the possible side effects of Epogen?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop usingEpogen and seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
· seizures epogen.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur epogen. Continueto use Epogen and talk to your doctor if you experience
· increased blood pressure;
· headache;
· a "flulike" feeling;
· increased heart rate;
· nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
· numbness or tingling;
· tiredness;
· muscle aches;
· a rash; or
· injection site discomfort epogen.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur epogen. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome epogen.
What other drugs will affect Epogen?
• It is not known whether Epogen will interact with other medicines epogen. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines epogen.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Epogen written for healthprofessionals that you may read epogen.
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