• This medicine may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, blood clots, tumor growth and death. People with higher blood cell counts are more at risk. Your healthcare provider will need to monitor your blood cell counts and follow you closely to change the dose to match your body's needs. Talk with healthcare provider.
• This medicine is only available to cancer patients if healthcare providers or hospitals have enrolled in the ESA APPRISE Oncology Program.
• Please read the medication guide.
• If you have an allergy to epoetin alfa or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
• It may be given as a shot into a vein.
• Your healthcare provider may teach you how to give the shot.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Throw away needles in needle/sharp disposal box and return box to healthcare provider when full.
• Iron supplements are often needed.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
Created: 2006-10-13 12:17:49.0
Modified: 2010-03-25 11:38:47.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have porphyria, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Irritation where the shot is given.
Chronic renal failure patients:
• High blood pressure.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
Zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients:
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Diarrhea.
• Cough.
Cancer patients on chemotherapy:
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Fever.
• Diarrhea.
• Swelling.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Change in strength on one side greater than the other, difficulty speaking or thinking, change in balance, or blurred vision.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• Swelling or pain of leg or arm.
• Seizures.
• Severe headache.
• Clotted dialysis graft.
• Feeling extremely tired or weak.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
