Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant
About
Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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.
Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant contains ‘Erythropoietin alfa, human recombinant’. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant works by stimulating the bone marrow (soft tissue within the bones that makes red blood cells) to make more red blood cells. This Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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).
Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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 Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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 Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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 Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant may affect your ability to drive and use machines as Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant may cause fits disorder during the first 90 days of treatment.
Uses of Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant
Medicinal Benefits
Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant helps in the treatment of anemia which may happen due to chronic kidney disease and cancer chemotherapy. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant works by stimulating the bone marrow (soft tissue within the bones that makes red blood cells) to make more red blood cells. This Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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 Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant is also used for the treatment of anemia caused by a medicine known as zidovudine for the treatment of HIV (human immunodeficiency viruses). Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant also decreases the requirement for blood cell transfusions.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant
- High blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Clotting at the injection site
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are known to be allergic to Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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 Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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 Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant may affect your ability to drive and using machines as Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant may cause fits to disorder during the first 90 days of treatment. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant should not be used for children below 1 month of age during treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant should not be used for children below 5 years of age during treatment of anemia due to chemotherapy.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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: Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant should not be used in patients with high blood pressure and fits disorder.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known that Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid drinking alcohol while using Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant.
Pregnancy
cautionErythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant should not be taken until prescribed. Your doctor will decide what is the best treatment for you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionInform your doctor before taking Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant. Your doctor will advise you to either stop or continue treatment.
Driving
cautionErythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant may affect your ability to drive and using machines as Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant may cause fits to disorder during the first 90 days of treatment.
Liver
cautionTake Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionErythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant is safely given to the kidney patients only if prescribed by your doctor.
Children
cautionErythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant should be used in children only when prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- 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.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
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.
FAQs
Yes, Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant can be used for children above 1 month of age during treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease. Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant can be used for children above 5 years of age during treatment of anemia due to chemotherapy. The effectiveness of Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant and side effects observed in children is the same as adults, and used only when prescribed by a doctor.
Yes, Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant may increase the blood pressure. During initial treatment with Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant, blood pressure should be examined and those who have high blood pressure should take proper methods to regulate blood pressure. Your doctor may stop Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant if the blood pressure continues uncontrolled.
Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant works by stimulating the bone marrow (soft tissue within the bones that makes red blood cells) to make more red blood cells. This Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant 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).
The most common side effects of Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant are high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and fever, diarrhea, feeling upset in the stomach, skin rashes, stuffy nose, sore throat, bone, or muscle pain. Most of these side effects of Erythropoietin Alfa, Human Recombinant do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
