Procrit - Patient Info

(Page 3)

Hypertension:

Blood pressure may rise in the perioperative period in patients being treated with PROCRIT. Therefore, blood pressure should be monitored carefully.

PROCRIT (r) EPOETIN ALFA

INFORMATION FOR HOME DIALYSIS PATIENTS

What is PROCRIT and how does it work?

PROCRIT is a copy of human erythropoietin, a hormone produced primarily by healthy kidneys. PROCRIT replaces the erythropoietin that the failed kidneys can no longer produce, and signals the bone marrow to make the oxygen- carrying red blood cells once again. PROCRIT is produced in mammalian cells that have been genetically altered by the addition of a gene of the natural substance erythropoietin.

How should I take PROCRIT?

In those situations where your doctor has determined that you, as a home dialysis patient, can self-administer PROCRIT, you will receive instruction on how much PROCRIT to use, how to inject it, how often you should inject it, and how you should dispose of the unused portions of each vial. You will be instructed to monitor your blood pressure carefully every day and to report any changes outside of the guidelines that your doctor has given you. When the number of red blood cells increases, your blood pressure can also increase, so your doctor may prescribe some new or additional blood pressure medication.

Be sure to follow your doctor's orders.

You may also be instructed to have certain laboratory tests, such as additional hematocrit or iron level measurements, done more frequently. You may be asked to report these tests to your doctor or dialysis center. Also, your doctor may prescribe additional iron for you to take. Be sure to comply with your doctor's orders. Continue to check your access, as your doctor or nurse has shown you, to make sure it is working. Be sure to let your health care professional know right away if there is a problem.

Allergy to PROCRIT

Patients occasionally experience redness, swelling, or itching at the site of injection of PROCRIT. This may indicate an allergy to the components of PROCRIT, or it may indicate a local reaction. If you have a local reaction, consult your doctor. A potentially more serious reaction would be a generalized allergy to PROCRIT, which could cause a rash over the whole body, shortness of breath, wheezing, reduction in blood pressure, fast pulse, or sweating. Severe cases of generalized allergy may be life-threatening. If you think you are having a generalized allergic reaction, stop taking PROCRIT and notify a doctor or emergency medical personnel immediately.