Epoetin
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name darbepoetin Aranesp epoetin Eprex Epoetin is most often given as a shot under your skin or in your muscles. In rare cases, it is given intravenously. You may get a shot 2 or 3 times a week. Some types may be given once a week, or even every other week.
How It Works
Epoetin is the man-made form of something that is produced naturally by your body, erythropoietin. The drug helps red blood cells to grow. It is used to prevent or treat anemia.
Why It Is Used
Cancer and treatment for cancer can cause your blood cell counts to drop very low. Epoetin is used to bring your blood cell count up as soon as possible. It is also used to prevent and treat some types of anemia, such as those caused by kidney disease.
How Well It Works
It helps your body make new red blood cells, which means you may not need as many blood transfusions. Sometimes your doctor may give you iron at the same time as epoetin to help treat anemia.
The drug usually works better when it is given in an IV than as a shot under the skin.
Side Effects
Epoetin can cause high blood pressure. Drugs are available to treat high blood pressure.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Most people have few problems with epoetin. It can make you feel better and increase your appetite and your energy.
Epoetin is expensive. But the cost of this medicine is usually covered by your provincial health plan. For more information, talk to your doctor.
Epoetin is an erythropoietin. Darbepoetin is another type of erythropoietin that may be given less frequently.
It may be dangerous to use erythropoietin stimulators to increase your red blood cell (hemoglobin) levels above 10 mmol/L. Hemoglobin levels that are too high may increase your risk for death, heart failure, heart attack, and stroke. Talk with your doctor about your concerns and keep all your appointments for blood tests.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: April 9, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology/Oncology Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |