Epoetin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Epogen, Procrit, Eprex, human erythropoietin, recombinant, EPO, r-HuEPO

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur :

More common-in any treatment group

Chest pain; shortness of breath

Less common-in any treatment group

Convulsions (seizures)

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common - for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure

Headache; increased blood pressure; swelling of face, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs; vision problems; weight gain

Rare - for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure

Skin rash or hives

More common - for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure who require dialysis (in addition to those listed above)

More common - for zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients

More common - for cancer patients on chemotherapy

More common - for surgical patients

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Epoetin sometimes causes an influenza-like reaction, with symptoms such as muscle aches, bone pain, chills, shivering, and sweating, occurring about 1 or 2 hours after an injection. These symptoms usually go away within 12 hours. However, check with your doctor if this influenza-like reaction or any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common - in all treatment groups

Diarrhea; dizziness; nausea or vomiting

More common - for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure (in addition to those listed above)

Bone or joint pain, muscle aches, chills, shivering, sweating; general feeling of tiredness or weakness; itching or stinging at site of injection; loss of strength or energy; muscle pain or weakness

More common - for patients being treated for anemia due to chronic kidney failure who require dialysis (in addition to those listed above)

Abdominal pain and swelling; constipation; cough; fever; sore throat; weight loss

More common - for zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients

Congestion in the lungs; cough; general feeling of tiredness or weakness; itching or stinging at site of injection; loss of strength or energy; muscle pain or weakness

More common - for cancer patients on chemotherapy

General feeling of tiredness or weakness; loss of strength or energy; muscle pain or weakness; tingling, burning or prickly sensation

More common - for surgical patients

Anxiety; constipation; heartburn or belching, acid or sour stomach; inability to sleep; itching or stinging at site of injection; skin pain; stomach discomfort, upset or pain

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.