EPREX 4000 (EPOETIN ALFA)

Product Description

EPREX 2000/4000/8000/20000

EPREX prefilled syringes contain the active ingredient epoetin alfa, a protein that stimulates bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.

Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to all parts of your body. A decrease in the number of red blood cells can cause anaemia. Some symptoms of anaemia are tiredness, breathlessness when exercising, and feeling cold. Anaemia may have many causes, including decreased production of a hormone called erythropoietin by the kidneys due to kidney failure, or as a result of chemotherapy treatments for cancer. EPREX is virtually identical to your body's erythropoietin, and has a similar effect to naturally occurring erythropoietin in your body.

EPREX is used to treat the anaemia associated with kidney disease. If you have kidney disease, your kidney may not produce enough erythropoietin (necessary for red blood cell production) and your doctor may wish to correct this by prescribing EPREX. This medicine stimulates your bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, helping to treat your anaemia.

EPREX can also be used to treat anaemia and reduce the need for a blood transfusion if you are receiving chemotherapy for cancer and your doctor decides you may need a blood transfusion.

Doctors can also prescribe EPREX for mildly anaemic patients who are going to have surgery and donate blood before surgery, so that their own blood can be given to them during or after surgery. Because EPREX stimulates the production of red blood cells, a higher volume of blood can be taken from these patients.

EPREX can be used as an alternative to a blood transfusion in adult patients about to undergo major orthopaedic (bone) surgery where there is a potentially high risk from blood transfusion complications.

EPREX is not addictive.