Generic name:epoetin alfa [ e-POE-e-tin-AL-fa ]
Brand names: Epogen, Procrit, Retacrit
Drug class:Recombinant human erythropoietins
What is Epogen?
Epogen is a man-made form of a protein that helps your body produce red blood cells. This protein may be reduced when you have kidney failure or use certain medications. When fewer red blood cells are produced, you can develop a condition called anemia.
Epogen is used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy or chronic kidney disease, anemia caused by taking zidovudine to treat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), or anemia due to other reasons.
Epogen is also used to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in people having certain types of surgery.
Warnings
Epogen can cause serious side effects, including heart attack, blood clots, or stroke. Epoetin alfa may also speed up tumor growth, or shorten remission or survival time in some people. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Epogen.
You should not use Epogen if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or if you have ever had pure red cell aplasia (PRCA, a type of anemia) caused by using epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa.
Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a blood clot: sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, trouble breathing, pain or cold feeling in an arm or leg.
