Epoetin Beta
About
Epoetin Beta belongs to the class of medication called 'blood-forming agent' primarily used to treat anaemia (low red blood cell count) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), anaemia in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer, and preventing anaemia in premature infants. Anaemia occurs when the body has fewer red blood cells or haemoglobin. Chronic kidney disease damages the kidney and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia.
Epoetin Beta contains a human-made protein known as 'Epoetin beta', which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells (RBCs). Epoetin Beta helps to reverse anaemia and reduce the need for blood transfusion. Epoetin Beta is a biologic response modifier and erythropoiesis-stimulating protein. In chronic kidney disease, when the kidney fails to produce sufficient 'erythropoietin protein', which aids in forming red blood cells, Epoetin Beta stimulates the production of this protein in the bone marrow.
Epoetin Beta will be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Kindly do not self-administer. The most common side effects of Epoetin Beta are lower iron levels in the blood, allergic reaction, injection site pain, increased blood pressure and headaches. Most of these side effects of Epoetin Beta do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
If you have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure, new or increasing chest pain, or if you are at risk of blood clots in the veins (deep venous thrombosis), please inform your doctor before taking Epoetin Beta to avoid any complications. It is not known whether the Epoetin Beta will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting treatment with this medicine. Epoetin Beta is a cold chain medicine, so it must be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius, or its efficiency might be lost. Do not store in the freezer.
Uses of Epoetin Beta
Medicinal Benefits
Epoetin Beta is a human-made form of naturally occurring erythropoiesis-stimulating protein or erythropoietin (a hormone produced by the kidney's specialized cells and is responsible for protecting red blood cells against destruction and stimulates the cells of bone marrow to produce more amount of red blood cells). A deficiency of erythropoietin happens when a person suffers from chronic kidney disease, which causes a low red blood cell count, causing anaemia. This medicine is primarily used for treating anaemia (low red blood cell count) in persons with long-term serious (chronic) kidney disease and those receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer except bone marrow or blood cell cancer. Epoetin Beta is also used to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in adults having certain types of surgery. Epoetin Beta contains a protein, 'Epoetin beta', which signals the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Epoetin Beta
- Low levels of iron in their blood
- Allergies or skin reactions
- Pain at the injection site
- Body aches
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Increase in blood pressure
- Headaches (especially sudden, stabbing, migraine-like headaches)
- Confusion
- Speech disturbance
- Unsteady walking
- Fits or convulsions
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Epoetin Beta can enhance the risk of blood clots and serious heart problems, including heart attack so tell your doctor immediately if you notice shortness of breath, sudden numbness or weakness, chest pain, or trouble speaking or understanding. This medicine may speed up tumour growth or shorten remission or survival time in some people with certain cancer types. Inform your doctor before taking Epoetin Beta if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, blood clot, or seizure. Do not take Epoetin Beta if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. Epoetin Beta may affect a person's ability to drive as it may cause convulsions during the initial days of treatment, so a person taking Epoetin Beta should avoid driving or operating any machine. Avoid consuming alcohol with Epoetin Beta as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Thalidomide, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, pomalidomide (medication used to treat cancer), the protein found in the fluid of blood -- C1 esterase inhibitor (human); cyclosporine (immunosuppressant medication) and pegvaliase (medicine to treat PKU (phenylketonuria).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Epoetin Beta as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Pure red cell aplasia (a rare disorder of blood production), hypertension, seizures, hemodialysis.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Epoetin Beta as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionEpoetin Beta should not be used when pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Epoetin Beta.
Breast Feeding
cautionEpoetin Beta should not be used in nursing mothers unless necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Epoetin Beta. Consult your doctor before taking Epoetin Beta, and your doctor will decide whether Epoetin Beta can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionEpoetin Beta causes convulsions (seizures), especially during the initial months of treatment. So, it is better not to drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Epoetin Beta if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current kidney conditions.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Epoetin Beta if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current kidney conditions.
Children
cautionEpoetin Beta should not be given to neonates as their safety and efficacy have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Limit the consumption of fluids, salt, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes.
- Eat a low-protein diet, and get enough calories from the foods if you lose weight.
- Eat foods high in vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid can fulfil the deficiencies of happening in kidney disease.
- Include a small number of healthy fats in your diet that give you enough energy to be active during the day; however, try to limit fats that make you fat. Try to include olive oil, peanut, and corn in your diet.
- Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Using essential oils for massages can help increase circulation.
Special Advise
- Certain diagnostic tests like Complete blood count (CBC) can help check the count of red blood cells.
- Have regular haemoglobin tests to check whether there is an improvement in the level of red blood cells after taking Epoetin Beta or not.
- You should not use Epoetin Beta if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension) or if you have ever had pure red cell aplasia (PRCA, a type of anaemia) caused by using Epoetin Beta.
- Call your doctor at once if you experience any sign of a blood clot, sudden numbness or weakness, blur vision, speech problem, chest pain, trouble breathing, pain, or cold feeling in the leg or arm.
- Discard any leftover medicine in a multi-dose vial of Epoetin Beta 21 days after the first use.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaemia: Anaemia occurs when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin than normal haemoglobin (the iron-rich protein responsible for allowing red blood cells to carry more oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body). Chronic kidney disease damages the kidney and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia. Symptoms of anaemia in chronic kidney disease include fatigue or tiredness, shortness of breath, ashen skin, weakness, body aches, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, headache, sleep problems, and trouble concentrating.
FAQs
Epoetin Beta contains a protein, 'Epoetin beta', which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. As in chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood in the way it should leading to anaemia.
It is suggested to store the Epoetin Beta in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 ℃ and protect it from light. However, a person should not freeze it.
The common side effects of Epoetin Beta are increased blood pressure, headaches, pain, and redness at the injection site. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. However, inform your doctor immediately if these side effects persist or worsen.
A person who is allergic to any chemical compound present in Epoetin Beta or has uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure, or ever had pure red cell aplasia (a type of anemia) is not advised to take Epoetin Beta.
