Epogen (Epoetin Alfa) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Epogen

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Epogen

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Epogen Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Epogen, Procrit

Generic Name: epoetin alfa (Pronunciation: e POE e tin AL fa)

What is epoetin alfa (Epogen)?

Epoetin alfa is a man-made form of a protein that helps your body produce red blood cells. The amount of this protein in your body 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.

Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia (a lack of red blood cells in the body).

Epoetin alfa may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of epoetin alfa (Epogen)?

Contact your doctor if you feel weak, lightheaded, or short of breath, or if your skin looks pale. These may be signs that your body has stopped responding to this medication.

Epoetin alfa can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use epoetin alfa. Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as:

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance; or
pain or swelling in one or both legs.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using epoetin alfa and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling of your ankles or feet;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness);
feeling light-headed, fainting; or
seizure (black-out or convulsions).

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness, mild headache;
fever, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; or
pain or tenderness where you injected the medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about epoetin alfa (Epogen)?

This medicine can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. This risk will increase the longer you use epoetin alfa. Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, shortness of breath, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.

Before using epoetin alfa, tell your doctor if you have epilepsy or a history of seizures. Epoetin alfa may cause seizures. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of all items used in giving the medicine.

Contact your doctor if you feel weak, light-headed, or short of breath, or if your skin looks pale. These may be signs that your body has stopped responding to epoetin alfa.

Some women using epoetin alfa have started having menstrual periods, even after not having a period for a long time due to a medical condition. You may be able to get pregnant if your periods restart. Talk with your doctor about the need for birth control.

Epoetin alfa is made from human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain viruses and other infectious agents that can cause disease. Although donated human plasma is screened, tested, and treated to reduce the risk of it containing anything that could cause disease, there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

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