Brand Names

How to Use

Epoetin is usually given by a health care professional after a dialysis treat. However, medication given by injection are sometimes using at home. If you will be using epoetin at home, your health care professional will teach you how the injections are to be given. You will also have a risk to practice giving them Be certain that you understand exactly how the drug is to be injected .

Dosage

• For injection dosage form:
  • For severe anemia:
    • Adults and teenagers Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 50 to 100 Units per kilogram - kg - 23 to 45 Units per pound of body weight three times a week, injected into a vein or under the skin. Your family doctor may then gradually decrease the dose every four weeks or more until the lowest effective dose is reached.
    • Children 1 month to 12 years of age Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 50 Units per kg - 23 Units per pound of body weight three times a week, injected into a vein or under the skin. Your family doctor may then gradually decrease the dose every four weeks or more until the lowest effective dose is reached.
    • Children up to 1 month of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store in the refrigerator. However, keep the drug from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.