EPREX 40000IU INJECTION belongs to a class of drugs known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) primarily used to treat anaemia (lack of haemoglobin in blood) due to chronic kidney disease and anaemia due to chemotherapy (cancer treatment). Anaemia is reduced levels of haemoglobin and red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients slowly develop anaemia, which gets worse as the disease progresses. Also, the treatment of cancer, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, causes anaemia in cancer patients.

EPREX 40000IU INJECTION contains ‘Erythropoietin alfa, human recombinant’. EPREX 40000IU INJECTION works by stimulating the bone marrow (soft tissue within the bones that makes red blood cells) to make more red blood cells. This EPREX 40000IU INJECTION is very similar to the natural substance in the body known as erythropoietin (hormone formed by kidneys and produced RBC), preventing anaemia (lack of haemoglobin and RBC in the blood).

EPREX 40000IU INJECTION will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. You may experience high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting and fever. Most of these side effects of EPREX 40000IU INJECTION do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

If you are known to be allergic to EPREX 40000IU INJECTION or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. EPREX 40000IU INJECTION should not be taken in conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, or liver disease. If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, it is advised to consult a doctor before using EPREX 40000IU INJECTION. EPREX 40000IU INJECTION may affect your ability to drive and use machines as EPREX 40000IU INJECTION may cause fits disorder during the first 90 days of treatment. 

EPREX 40000IU INJECTION helps in the treatment of anemia which may happen due to chronic kidney disease and cancer chemotherapy. EPREX 40000IU INJECTION works by stimulating the bone marrow (soft tissue within the bones that makes red blood cells) to make more red blood cells. This EPREX 40000IU INJECTION is very similar to the natural substance in the body known as erythropoietin (hormone formed by kidneys and produced RBC) which prevents anemia (lack of hemoglobin and RBC in the blood). Besides this EPREX 40000IU INJECTION is also used for the treatment of anemia caused by a medicine known as zidovudine for the treatment of HIV (human immunodeficiency viruses). EPREX 40000IU INJECTION also decreases the requirement for blood cell transfusions.

• High blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Clotting at the injection site

If you are known to be allergic to EPREX 40000IU INJECTION or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. EPREX 40000IU INJECTION should not be taken in conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, blood clot in the brain (stroke), fits disorder, liver disease, or kidney disease. Before taking EPREX 40000IU INJECTION inform your doctor if you have any type of cancer or skin reactions. If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, it is advised to consult a doctor before using EPREX 40000IU INJECTION. EPREX 40000IU INJECTION may affect your ability to drive and using machines as EPREX 40000IU INJECTION may cause fits to disorder during the first 90 days of treatment. EPREX 40000IU INJECTION should not be used for children below 1 month of age during treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease. EPREX 40000IU INJECTION should not be used for children below 5 years of age during treatment of anemia due to chemotherapy.

Drug-Drug Interactions: EPREX 40000IU INJECTION may have interaction with medicines used after kidney transplant (cyclosporine), other medicines for cancer and anemia (lenalidomide), medicines used for skin disease and cancer (thalidomide), anticancer (pomalidomide).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.

Drug-Disease Interactions: EPREX 40000IU INJECTION should not be used in patients with high blood pressure and fits disorder.

• CYCLOSPORINE
• LENALIDOMIDE
• THALIDOMIDE
• POMALIDOMIDE

• Avoid making any changes in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
• Your doctor may get your blood tests done frequently to examine the levels of blood cells, hemoglobin, and electrolytes such as potassium in your blood.
• Eat food that is rich in iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
• Eat food like leafy, green vegetables, fish, eggs, and liver.
• Do mild to moderate exercise.

Anemia due to chronic kidney disease: Anemia describes reduced levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients slowly develop anemia, which gets worse as the disease progresses. Then the kidneys partially lose their functions permanently in CKD. There is not sufficient erythropoietin (hormone formed by kidneys and produced RBC) formation. This hormone helps the production of RBCs by the bone marrow. As a result, RBC production is affected, leading to fewer RBCs than normal.

Anemia due to chemotherapy: Some types of cancer that affect blood and bone marrow, like blood cancer, and bone marrow cancer can decrease red blood cells. Also, the treatment of cancer, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, causes anemia in cancer patients. This happens when a few medicines or radiation kill the red blood cells with the cancerous cells.