About epoetin alfa
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent
Used for
- Treats anaemia caused by chronic kidney disease.
- Treats anaemia in some people receiving chemotherapy.
- May reduce transfusions during certain major operations.
Usual adult dose
Varies by cause, body weight, haemoglobin level, and route; given by injection and adjusted by a clinician.
Usual dose in children
For chronic kidney disease, dosing is weight-based and adjusted by a clinician; not routinely used for other indications in children.
Common side effects
- High blood pressure
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Injection-site reactions
Important warnings
- Can cause blood clots, stroke, or heart attack, especially if haemoglobin rises too high.
- Blood pressure should be controlled and monitored.
- Rarely causes severe allergic reactions or pure red-cell aplasia.
- Use the lowest effective dose; follow blood counts regularly.
Pregnancy
Use only when clinically necessary; available pregnancy data are limited. A clinician should assess benefits and risks.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether epoetin alfa passes into breast milk; discuss use with a clinician.
Interactions
- Medicines that increase blood pressure may require closer monitoring.
- Cyclosporine levels may change as red blood cell counts rise.
- Iron may be needed for an adequate response.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.