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Brand Names: Mircera

Generic Name: epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Pronunciation: e POE e tin BAY ta meth OX ee pol ee ETH il een GLYE kol)

• What is epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?
• What are the possible side effects of epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?
• What is the most important information I should know about epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?
• How should I use epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Mircera)?
• What happens if I overdose (Mircera)?
• What should I avoid while using epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?
• What other drugs will affect epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?

Epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol is a man-made form of a protein that is normally produced by the kidneys to help your body produce red blood cells. This protein in your body may be reduced when you have kidney failure. When fewer red blood cells are produced, you can develop a condition called anemia.

Epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol is used to treat anemia (a lack of red blood cells in the body). This medication is not for treating anemia caused by cancer chemotherapy.

Epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?

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

Epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. 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;
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
• chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate; 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 or itchy skin rash; difficulty breathing; fast heart rate; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• feeling like you might pass out;
• seizure (convulsions);
• pain or burning when you urinate; or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:

• stuffy nose, sore throat, cough;
• headache;
• muscle aches, back pain;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation; or
• itching, redness, bruising, or swelling where you injected the medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What is the most important information I should know about epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol (Mircera)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol, if you have untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, seizures, a blood cell disorder, a blood clotting disorder, or a history of stroke, blood clots, or heart attack.

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

Epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol can increase your risk of life-threatening heart or circulation problems, including heart attack or stroke. Seek emergency medical help if you have symptoms of heart or circulation problems, such as: chest pain, sudden numbness on one side of the body, sudden headache or confusion, vision or speech problems, pain or swelling in your legs, or sudden cough and trouble breathing.

This medication may shorten remission time or survival time in people with certain types of cancer. Epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol is not for treating anemia in chemotherapy patients. Tell your doctor if have cancer or are receiving chemotherapy.

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

It may take up to 6 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 6 weeks of treatment.

Epoetin beta-methoxy polyethylene glycol is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include diet, dialysis, and other medications. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.