Procrit - Patient Info

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How will I know if PROCRIT is working?

The effectiveness of PROCRIT is measured by the increase in hematocrit (the amount of red blood cells in the blood) that results from PROCRIT therapy. The rise in hematocrit is not immediate. It usually takes about 2- 6 weeks before the hematocrit starts to rise. The amount of time it takes, and the dose of PROCRIT that is needed to make the hematocrit increase, varies from patient to patient.

What is the most important inf ormation I should know about PROCRIT and CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE?

PROCRIT has been prescribed for you by your doctor because you:

1. Have anemia due to your kidney disease.

2. Are able to dialyze at home.

3. Have been determined to be able to administer PROCRIT without direct medical or other supervision. A lack of energy or feeling of tiredness is the major symptom of anemia. Additional symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, and feeling cold all the time. The reason for these symptoms is that there is a lack of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen, which is important for all of the body's functions. When there are fewer red blood cells, the body does not get all the oxygen it needs. Kidneys remove toxins from the blood; they also measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. If there is not enough oxygen, the kidneys will produce a hormone called erythropoietin.

Erythropoietin is released into the blood- stream and travels to the bone marrow where red blood cells are made. Erythropoietin signals the bone marrow to make more oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they stop cleansing toxins from your blood. They also make less erythropoietin than they should. Therefore, the bone marrow does not receive a strong-enough signal to make the oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Fewer red blood cells are produced so the muscles, brain, and other parts of the body do not get the oxygen they need to function properly. Most patients treated with PROCRIT no longer need blood transfusions. However, certain medical conditions, or unexpected blood loss, may result in the need for a transfusion.