Eprex 4000 IU Epoetin Alfa

Eprex 4000 IU - Epoetin

Eprex is synthetic erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) and is used to increase the production of red blood cells and decrease the need for transfusions of red blood cells.

Epoetin alfa is produced naturally in the body, mostly by the kidneys. It gives bone marrow the signal to produce red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen in the blood. It works by causing increased red blood cell production by the body. If the body does not produce enough epoetin alfa, severe anemia (lack of oxygen reaching the different parts of the body) can occur.

Epoetin alfa is used to treat anemia in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), because their kidneys are unable to produce enough natural erythropoietin on their own. It is also used to treat people with cancer who develop anemia because of chemotherapy treatment. When chemotherapy is given to people with cancer, their bodies may not be able to produce enough erythropoietin. As a result, they can become anemic. Epoetin alfa has only been studied in people who have non-myeloid cancers (cancers other than bone marrow cancers).

Epoetin alfa is also used to treat anemia before certain surgeries and for people with HIV who are taking the medication zidovudine. It can also be used to increase red blood cell production in certain patients scheduled for surgery. This allows blood collection from the patient to be used during surgery, so blood from other donors is less likely. It takes at least 2 weeks (and as long as 6 weeks) for a noticeable response to the medication.