epoetin alfa, Epogen, Procrit (cont.)

Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical and Pharmacy Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of epoetin alfa in patients with kidney failure on dialysis are high blood pressure, headache, joint-pain and clotting at the injection site. Rare cases of stinging at the injection site, skin rash and flu-like symptoms (joint and muscle pain) have occurred within a few hours following administration.

Allergic reactions, seizures, and thrombotic events (for example, heart attacks, strokes, and pulmonary embolism ) rarely occur.

In HIV-infected patients receiving zidovudine, the most common side effects with epoetin alfa are fever, headache, rash, and nasal or chest congestion. Rare cases of seizures or severe rash have occurred in these patients.

The most common side effects in patients undergoing surgery with anemia are fever, nausea, constipation, skin reactions, vomiting and headaches. Blood clots in veins, referred to as a deep venous thrombosis, also may occur.

Among patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy, the most common side effects of epoetin alfa are fever, diarrhea, tissue swelling, shortness of breath, paresthesia (abnormal sensations like burning or prickling that may occur anywhere in the body), and upper respiratory infection. Treatment with epoetin alfa may increase the growth of several types of cancer and reduce survival, and, therefore, its use should be restricted to the conditions discussed previously.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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