Procrit
® (
epoetin alfa) is a prescription medication approved for the following uses:
- Treating anemia due to chronic kidney failure (renal failure)
- Treating anemia caused by zidovudine (Retrovir®, Combivir®, Trizivir®), an HIV medication
- Treating anemia caused by chemotherapy in people with cancer
- Preventing the need for blood transfusions in people with anemia who are undergoing surgery.
Procrit is made by Amgen, Inc. and is marketed by Ortho Biotech Products.
Procrit belongs to a group of medications known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). It is a manufactured version of erythropoietin, a human protein that is produced in the kidneys. The medication works by stimulating the production of red blood cells by the bone marrow.
Procrit has been studied for the treatment of anemia due to a variety of conditions. These studies evaluated the efficacy of the medication by measuring hematocrit. Hematocrit is a blood test that measures how much of the blood consists of red blood cells, and is a good measure of anemia. These studies showed that Procrit can increase hematocrit, indicating that it is an effective treatment for anemia. In many situations, the medication was also shown to decrease the need for blood transfusions.
General considerations for when and how to take 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 the injections (under the skin, not by IV) at home. In this case, your healthcare provider should teach you exactly how to do this.
- Never shake Procrit, as it is a delicate molecule that could be damaged by shaking.
- You will need regular blood tests during treatment 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.
The dose of Procrit your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The cause of your anemia
- How you respond to the medication (as measured by blood tests)
- Your weight
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Procrit. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Pain, redness, or irritation at the injection site.
(Click Procrit Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Procrit?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Procrit may experience the following effects:
How Should Procrit Be Stored?
Procrit should be stored under refrigeration. Do not freeze the medication, and do not use any Procrit that has been frozen. When transporting the drug, be sure to use an insulated container and a coolant (such as a blue ice pack). Make sure the medication does not directly touch the coolant in order to prevent it from freezing. Also, be sure to keep Procrit away from light until right before you are ready to use it. Light can destroy the delicate molecules.
Procrit single-dose vials must be discarded after one use, since they do not contain any preservatives. However, Procrit multidose vials contain preservatives and may be used for up to 21 days after the first use (if kept under refrigeration).
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Procrit as scheduled, contact your healthcare provider. Depending on how much time has passed (as well as other factors, such as your latest blood tests), your healthcare provider will give you further instructions.
Procrit comes in single-dose vials (which do not contain preservatives) and multidose vials (which contain preservatives). The single-dose vials are available in the following strengths, each containing 1 mL of medication:
- Procrit 2,000 units per mL
- Procrit 3,000 units per mL
- Procrit 4,000 units per mL
- Procrit 10,000 units per mL
- Procrit 40,000 units per mL.
The multidose vials come in the following strengths:
- Procrit 10,000 units per mL (2 mL vials, for a total of 20,000 units in each vial)
- Procrit 20,000 units per mL (1 mL vials, for a total of 20,000 units in each vial)).
Is There a Generic Version of Procrit?
Currently, no generic versions of Procrit are licensed for sale
(see Generic Procrit).
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print