About epoetin beta
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent
Used for
- Treats anaemia caused by chronic kidney disease.
- Treats anaemia in some adults receiving chemotherapy.
- May reduce need for blood transfusions in selected patients.
Usual adult dose
Dose is individualised by condition, body weight, haemoglobin and response; given by injection, usually one to three times weekly.
Usual dose in children
For children with chronic kidney disease, dosing is individualised by weight and response, usually one to three times weekly.
Common side effects
- High blood pressure
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Blood clots
Important warnings
- May increase risks of blood clots, stroke, heart attack or death, especially if haemoglobin rises too high.
- Blood pressure and blood counts require monitoring.
- Use caution with seizures, a history of blood clots, or cancer.
- Rarely, severe allergic reactions or pure red cell aplasia can occur.
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; pregnancy-specific evidence is limited. A clinician should weigh benefits and risks.
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether epoetin beta passes into breast milk; discuss use with a clinician.
Interactions
- No major interactions are well established; ciclosporin levels may rise as red blood cell counts increase.
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 It may be incomplete or out of date.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.