Erythropoetin Alfa

• To treat anaemia due to kidney diseases.
• To treat anaemia in adults who are receiving cancer treatment.

When should one not use Erythropoetin Alfa

• If you are having a history of allergy (rashes, itching, skin redness, swelling of lips, eyes, difficulty in breathing or swallowing) to any of the contents of this medicine.
• If you have red cell aplasia (a condition in which bone marrow cannot produce enough red blood cells).
• If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• If you are due for major orthopaedic surgery (hip or knee) and you have severe heart disease, diseases of veins and arteries, recently had a heart attack or stroke, cannot take medicines to thin the blood.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Diarrhoea
• Feeling sick
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Increased blood pressure
• Headache, confusion, fits
• Blood clots

Other General Warnings

• You have a history of blood clots.
• You are overweight.
• You have diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver disease, fits, porphyria (a rare inherited metabolic disorder).
• You are bedridden long time due to surgery or illness.
• You have anaemia due to other problems.
• You are suffering from cancer.
• You have serious skin conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (conditions where the skin gets peeled off and increases the chances of deadly infections).
• You have a chronic kidney problem and you don't respond to previous erythropoietin therapy (as if you still increase the dose, it may increase the chances of problems related to heart, blood vessels, stroke, heart attack and death).
• You are undergoing any blood tests.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines may affect the way Erythropoetin Alfa works, or even Erythropoetin Alfa may affect the working of some medicines.
• Talk to your doctor particularly if you are taking cyclosporin (used for the treatment of organ transplantation), iron supplements and other blood stimulating medicines.
• Tell your doctor about any of the other medicines you are taking which includes medicines without prescription and herbal medicines as well, as these medicines may alter the effectiveness of Erythropoetin Alfa or increase the chances of side effects.

Overdose

Missed a Dose