Epogen

What you should know before using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatrics

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of epoetin in children over the age of one month.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of epoetin in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Aluminum poisoning

• Blood clots (history of) or other problems with the blood or
• Folic acid, iron, or vitamin B12 deficiencies or
• Heart attacks, history of or
• Heart bypass surgery or
• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Thrombosis, at risk for—The chance of side effects may be increased.

• Infection, inflammation, or cancer

• Bone problems or
• Porphyrin (red blood cell pigment) metabolism disorder—Symptoms include change in color of urine, increased sun sensitivity, abdominal pain, and nerve swelling
• Sickle cell anemia—Epoetin may not work properly.

• Seizures (history of)—The chance of seizures may be increased.