Understanding Anemia and How Epogen ® Can Help Dialysis Patients with Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells.

This commonly occurs as a result of the following conditions:

• Low iron levels
• Inhibition of erythropoietin production by the immune system
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Premature destruction of red blood cells
• Replacement of normal bone marrow cells by cancer cells
• Injury to bone marrow
• An inborn structural defect in red blood cells
• An inability to manufacture hemoglobin
• An inability or make use of normal or even high levels of iron
• Thyroid deficiency
• Chronic renal failure or kidney problems

Red blood cells are very vital, as they carry oxygen all throughout the entire body, which in turn provides us with energy. This is the reason why people with anemia feel weak or tired; it is because they do not get enough oxygen in the blood.

Anemic people also tend to suffer from, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, poor appetite, sexual problems, dizziness, and trouble exercising.

People who have chronic renal or kidney failure are especially susceptible to developing anemia. This is because the kidneys make erythropoietin, which is the hormone that stimulates red blood cell production.

In people with kidney failure, the kidneys do not produce enough erythropoietin, which causes red blood cell levels to drop and one becomes anemic. Dialysis does the job of the kidneys and purifies the blood of impurities, but it cannot raise red blood cell levels.

Epogen is used by many kidney failure patients on dialysis, as it works to stimulate red blood cell production and correct anemia. This drug is synthetically developed and genetically engineered to behave like exactly like erythropoietin. Results from Epogen can be seen within 4-6 weeks.

Manufactured by Amgen Inc., Epogen is usually administered after dialysis either intravenously or subcutaneously. It is a sterile colorless solution available in single-dose vials of 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 10,000 and 40,000 Units (1 mL), and also comes in multi dose vials of 20,000 Units (1 mL or 2 mL).

Your doctor will know best which dosage to prescribe for you. Usually given up to thrice a week, the dosage of Epogen is determined by a person’s weight. Regular hemoglobin tests are also important while on this drug as its dosage needs to be adjusted as it is required.

Although Epogen is usually well tolerated by many, side effects have been reported. The most common side effects include; high blood pressure or flu-like symptoms. These symptoms are often experienced by people with kidney disease and may not necessarily be because of Epogen. As high blood pressure is common in dialysis patients, it is important that you take your blood pressure medication as prescribed and check your blood pressure regularly.

Since its introduction into the market in 1989, Epogen has improved the quality of life for dialyzed patients. It has transformed the care of dialysis patients with a majority receiving Epogen injections on a regular basis to keep their red blood cell levels up.

It decreases the number of blood transfusions required, which in turn reduces the transmission of infectious diseases. It also lessens anaphylactic reactions and iron overload, and limits the formation of panel reactive antibodies, easing the possibility of renal transplantation.

While on Epogen you need to keep an eye on your blood pressure, your medication, your diet and iron therapy and go for regular doctor’s visits. As a side effect of Epogen is high blood pressure, it is important that you regularly check your BP to see if it is normal.

When on Epogen, most doctors prescribe iron supplements and an iron rich diet, to increase the effectiveness of this drug. Epogen will not work properly if you have low iron levels. Lastly, when on Epogen it is important to go for periodic doctor’s visits, to monitor your hemoglobin levels. This way your doctor can check and see, if Epogen is working for you.