Procrit - Patient Info

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What do I need to know if I am giving myself PROCRIT injections?

When you receive your PROCRIT from the dialysis center, doctor's office or home dialysis supplier, always check to see that:

1. The name PROCRIT appears on the carton and vial label.

2. You will be able to use PROCRIT before the expiration date stamped on the package. The PROCRIT solution in the vial should always be clear and colorless. Do not use PROCRIT if the contents of the vial appear discolored or cloudy, or if the vial appears to contain lumps, flakes, or particles. In addition, if the vial has been shaken vigorously, the solution may appear to be frothy and should not be used.

Therefore, care should be taken not to shake the PROCRIT vial vigorously before use. Unless you have been prescribed Multidose PROCRIT (1 mL or 2 mL vials with a big "M" on the label, each containing a total of 20,000 Units of PROCRIT), vials of PROCRIT are for single use. Any unused portion of a vial should not be used. However, Multidose PROCRIT may be stored in the refrigerator between doses for up to 21 days, and can be used for multiple doses. Follow your dialysis center's instructions on what to do with the used vials.

How should I store PROCRIT?

PROCRIT should be stored in the refrigerator, but not in the freezing compartment. Do not let the vial freeze and do not leave it in direct sunlight. Do not use a vial of PROCRIT that has been frozen or after the expiration date that is stamped on the label. If you have any questions about the safety of a vial of PROCRIT that has been subjected to temperature extremes, be sure to check with your dialysis unit staff. Always use the correct syringe. Your doctor has instructed you on how to give yourself the correct dosage of PROCRIT.

This dosage will usually be measured in Units per milliliter or cc's. It is important to use a syringe that is marked in tenths of milliliters (for example, 0.2 mL or cc). Failure to use the proper syringe can lead to a mistake in dosage, and you may receive too much or too little PROCRIT. Too little PROCRIT may not be effective in increasing your hematocrit, and too much PROCRIT may lead to a hematocrit that is too high. Only use disposable syringes and needles as they do not require sterilization; they should be used once and disposed of as instructed by your doctor.

IMPORTANT: TO HELP AVOID CONTAMINATION AND POSSIBLE INFECTION, FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY. PREPARING THE DOSE

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing the medication.

2. Check the date on the PROCRIT vial to be sure that the drug has not expired.

3. Remove the vial of PROCRIT from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room tem- perature. Each PR OCRIT vial is designed to be used only once: do not reenter the vial. It is not necessary to shake PROCRIT. Prolonged vigorous shaking may damage the product. Assemble the other supplies you will need for your injection.

4. Hemodialysis patients should wipe off the venous port of the hemodialysis tubing with an antiseptic swab. Peritoneal dialysis patients should cleanse the skin with an antiseptic swab where the injection is to be made.

5. Flip off the protective cap but do not remove the gray rubber stopper. Wipe the top of the gray rubber stopper with an antiseptic swab. 6. Using a syringe and needle designed for subcutaneous injection, draw air into the syringe by pulling back on the plunger. The amount of air should be equal to your PROCRIT dose. PROCRIT (r) (Epoetin alfa) 2 PROCRIT (r) (Epoetin alfa) 3 PROCRIT (r) (Epoetin alfa) 4 PROCRIT (r) (Epoetin alfa) 5