Procrit Dosage (Cont.)

Procrit Dosage for Anemia Due to Chemotherapy

There are two different Procrit dosing options when treating anemia due to chemotherapy:
 
  • Once-a-week dosing -- Procrit 40,000 units per week
  • Three-times-a-week dosing -- Procrit 150 units per kg (about 68 units per pound) three times a week.
     
When treating anemia due to chemotherapy, the injections under the skin, rather than the IV, are recommended. Your healthcare provider will check your progress frequently, using a blood test that measures the amount of hemoglobin in your blood and will adjust your dose accordingly to gradually increase your hemoglobin up to 12 g/dL.
 

Procrit Dosing for Anemia Due to Zidovudine Use

The recommended starting dose of Procrit when treating anemia due to zidovudine (Retrovir®, Combivir®, Trizivir®) is 100 units per kg (about 45 units per pound) three times a week for eight weeks. For this use, Procrit can be given as an injection under the skin or by IV. Your healthcare provider will adjust your dose, depending on how you respond to Procrit.
 

Procrit Dosage for Anemia Before Surgery

There are two different Procrit dosing options to prevent the need for blood transfusions due to surgery in people with anemia. These options include:
 
  • Procrit 300 units per kg (about 136 units per pound) once daily for 10 days before surgery, on the day of surgery, and for 4 days after surgery
  • Procrit 600 units per kg (about 273 units per pound) once weekly, on 21, 14, and 7 days before surgery, plus a dose on the day of surgery.
     

General Information on Dosing With Procrit

Considerations for people taking Procrit include the following:
 
  • Procrit comes as an injection that is given under the skin (subcutaneously) or by IV infusion.
     
  • The medication is usually given once a week or three times a week, depending on several factors.
     
  • In some situations, you may be able to give yourself Procrit injections (under the skin, not by IV) at home. In this case, your healthcare provider should teach you exactly how to give yourself the injections.
     
  • Never shake Procrit, as it is a delicate molecule that could be damaged by shaking.
     
  • You will need regular blood tests while taking Procrit to see how well the drug is working.
     
  • It is important that your body has enough iron; otherwise, Procrit cannot work well. Your healthcare provider may recommend iron supplements in some situations.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Procrit will not work if you stop taking it.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to Procrit or your Procrit dosage, talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the drug without discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;