Hemactiv

Epoetin α

Symptomatic anemia associated w/ chronic renal failure (CRF) in adults & childn 1-18 yr on hemodialysis & adults on peritoneal dialysis. Severe anemia of renal origin accompanied by clinical symptoms in adults w/ renal insufficiency not yet undergoing dialysis. Anemia & reduction of transfusion requirements. Increase yield of autologous blood in adults in predonation programme. For non-Fe deficient adults prior to major elective orthopedic surgery having high perceived risk for transfusion complications to reduce exposure to allogeneic blood transfusions.

IV/SC CRF Adult 50-100 IU/kg 3 times/wk. Childn 25-50 IU/kg 3 times/wk. Phase of correction 50 IU/kg 3 times/wk. Increase or reduce at 25 IU/kg 3 times/wk in steps of 4 wk. Should not exceed 3 x 200 IU/kg. Phase of maintenance 75-300 IU/kg/wk. Adults w/ cancer Initially 150 IU/kg as SC 3 times/wk. May increase to 300 IU/kg 3 times/wk if the Hb has increased <1 mg/dL (<0.62 mmol/L) or the reticulocytes has increased to <40,000 cells/μL above baseline. Surgery in patients in an autologous pre-donation program 300-600 IU/kg 2 time/wk as IV inj for 3 wk w/ at least 200 mg of elemental Fe. Scheduled for elective surgery 600 IU/kg wkly for 3 wk (days -21, -14, & -7) as SC prior to surgery & the day of the surgery.

Hypersensitivity to epoetin α, products derived from mammalian cells or albumin. Uncontrolled HTN. Patients scheduled for major elective surgery not participating in autologous blood pre-donation program & not having CAD, peripheral artery disease, carotid arterial disease or stroke, including patients w/ recent MI or stroke. Surgical patients who for any reason cannot receive adequate antithrombotic prophylaxis. Patients developing pure red cell aplasia w/ any erythropoietin.

Serious allergic reactions. Increased CV, thrombotic vascular events & mortality. Monitor closely the Hb conc during treatment & Hb conc above the range of use. Patients w/ cancer, CRF. Monitor CBC regularly w/ Hb conc in patients w/ CRF until a stable level is achieved & periodically thereafter. Monitor BP especially at the beginning of treatment. Increase the dose of heparin during hemodialysis due to increased vol of the cell mass. Increased risk of post-op thrombotic events in patients w/ Hb >13 mg/dL. HTN, epilepsy, history of seizures, conditions associated w/ predisposition to seizure activity as CNS infections or brain metastases. Patients w/ anemia associated w/ hepatitis C. Discontinue if pure RBC aplasia; erythropoietin & other erythropoietic products Ab are detected. Treat other causes of anemia (eg, Fe deficiency, hemolysis, blood loss, deficiency of vit B₁₂ or folate) before starting treatment. Contains albumin derived from human blood; rare remote risk for transmission of viral diseases eg, Creutzfeldt Jacob disease. Increase in platelet counts during the 1st 8 wk of treatment. Patients w/ gout, chronic liver disease. Pregnancy & lactation.

Increased BP, worsening of preexisting HTN. Hypertensive crisis w/ encephalopathy; increased incidence of thrombotic vascular events; hypersensitivity reactions (eg, rash, anaphylactoid reactions & angioedema); diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pyrexia, chills, inj site reactions, headache & flu-like syndrome. Immunogenicity; seizures.

Enhanced effect w/ anti-anemia agent. Decreased response w/ drugs lowering erythropoiesis. Co-administration w/ cyclosporine.

Haematopoietic Agents

B03XA01 - erythropoietin ; Belongs to the class of other antianemic preparations. Used in the treatment of anemia.

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