Epoetin Alfa
About Epoetin Alfa
Epoetin Alfa belongs to the class of medication called 'blood-forming agent' primarily used to treat anaemia (low red blood cell count) in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients affected with HIV, and those receiving chemotherapy for cancer (except for bone marrow or blood cells' cancer). Anaemia occurs when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin. In chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia.
Epoetin Alfa contains a human-made protein known as 'Epoetin alfa' which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells (RBCs). Epoetin Alfa helps to reverse anaemia and reduce the need for blood transfusion. Epoetin Alfa is a biologic response modifier and erythropoiesis-stimulating protein. In chronic kidney disease, when the kidney fails to produce sufficient 'erythropoietin protein' which aids in the formation of red blood cells, Epoetin Alfa stimulates the production of this protein in the bone marrow.
Epoetin Alfa will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. The most common side effects of Epoetin Alfa are shortness of breath, cough, low blood pressure during dialysis, headache, body aches, diarrhoea, injection site pain and abdominal pain. Most of these side effects of Epoetin Alfa do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
If you have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure or red cell aplasia (a type of anaemia) due to epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa, please inform your doctor before taking Epoetin Alfa to avoid any complications. Inform your doctor immediately, if you feel weak, lightheaded, tired, or short of breath, or if your skin looks pale as it may be a sign that the body has stopped responding to Epoetin Alfa. It is not known whether Epoetin Alfa will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant and breastfeeding before starting treatment with this medicine. Epoetin Alfa is a cold chain medicine, and so it has to be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius else its efficiency might be lost. Do not store in the freezer or the fridge.
Uses of Epoetin Alfa
Medicinal Benefits
Epoetin Alfa is a human-made form of naturally occurring erythropoiesis-stimulating protein or erythropoietin (a hormone produced by the kidney's specialized cells and is responsible for protecting red blood cells against destruction and also stimulates the cells of bone marrow to produce more amount of red blood cells). Deficiency of erythropoietin happens when a person is suffering from chronic kidney diseases, which in turn causes low red blood cells count causing anemia. This medicine is primarily indicated for treating anemia (low red blood cell count) in persons with long-term serious (chronic) kidney disease, persons receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer except for bone marrow or blood cells cancer, and persons taking zidovudine to treat HIV(human immunodeficiency virus). Epoetin Alfa is also used to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in adults having certain types of surgery. Epoetin Alfa contains a protein 'Epoetin alfa' which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Epoetin Alfa
- Shortness of breath Cough
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- High blood sugar
- Headache
- Body aches
- Diarrhoea
- Injection site pain
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaemia: It occurs when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin than normal haemoglobin (iron-rich protein responsible for allowing red blood cells to carry more oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body). In chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia. Symptoms of anaemia in chronic kidney disease include fatigue or tiredness, shortness of breath, ashen skin, weakness, body aches, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, headache, sleep problems, and trouble concentrating.
FAQs
Epoetin Alfa contains a protein 'Epoetin alfa', which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. As in chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood in the way it should be leading to anemia.
A person who is allergic to any chemical compound present in Epoetin Alfa or have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure, or ever had pure red cell aplasia (a type of anaemia) caused by using darbepoetin alfa, or epoetin alfa is not allowed to take a name.
It is advised to tell your doctor about your medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot, a seizure, a latex allergy to avoid any type of medical condition.
It is suggested to store the Epoetin Alfa in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 ℃ and protect it from light. However, a person should not freeze it.
The common side-effects of Epoetin Alfa are headache and pain, redness at the injection site. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, inform your doctor immediately if any of these side-effects persist or get worse.
