Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Epoetin alfa-epbx injection is usually given by a doctor in a hospital or clinic. However, medicines given by injection are sometimes used at home. If you will be using epoetin alfa-epbx at home, your doctor will teach you how the injections are to be given. Be sure you understand exactly how the medicine is to be injected.

It may be given as a shot under your skin (usually in the buttocks, upper arms, thighs or stomach) or into a vein. If your doctor tells you to inject it in a certain way, follow your doctor's instructions.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine is available in single-dose vial or multiple-dose vial. Your doctor will tell which form is right for you.

If you are using this medicine at home:

  • Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
  • Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Do not inject into areas that are tender, red, bruised, hard, or has scars, or stretch marks. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections.
  • Do not shake the vial before using it. Do not use this medicine if it has been frozen.
  • Check the liquid in the vial. It should be clear and colorless. Do not use if it is cloudy, discolored, or has lumps, flakes, or particles in it.
  • You might not use all of the medicine in each vial (glass container). Use each vial only once and throw any extra medicine away. Do not save an opened vial.

In addition to this medicine, your body needs iron and vitamins to make red blood cells. Your doctor may direct you to take iron or vitamin supplements. Be sure to follow your doctor's orders carefully.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For injection dosage form (solution):
    • For anemia from cancer treatment:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 150 units per kilogram (kg) injected under the skin 3 times a week or 40,000 units injected under the skin once a week. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
      • Children 5 years of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 600 units per kg injected into a vein once a week. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
      • Children younger than 5 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For anemia from chronic kidney disease not on dialysis:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 50 to 100 units per kilogram (kg) injected into a vein or under the skin 3 times a week. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For anemia from chronic kidney disease on dialysis:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 50 to 100 units per kilogram (kg) injected into a vein or under the skin 3 times a week. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
      • Children 1 month to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 50 units per kg injected into a vein or under the skin 3 times a week. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
      • Children younger than 1 month of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For anemia from HIV treatment:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 100 units per kilogram (kg) injected into a vein or under the skin 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Your doctor may adjust the dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For anemia from surgery:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is 300 units per kilogram (kg) injected under the skin for 10 days before the surgery, on the day of the surgery, and for 4 days after surgery.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Protect the medicine from light. Keep your medicine in the original package until you are ready to use it.

Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container where the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

If you use the multiple-dose vial that has enough medicine for more than one dose, put it back in the refrigerator and store for up to 21 days.

Portions of this document last updated: July 01, 2024

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