Initer 2000 IU (IV/SC Injection)

2000 IU pre-filled syringe: ৳ 1,136.75

Medicine Details

Category	Details
Generic	Erythropoietin alfa
Company	Healthcare pharmaceuticals ltd
Also available as	Initer 3000 iu injection Initer 5000 iu injection Initer 10000 iu injection

Indications

Treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients on dialysis and not on dialysis
Treatment of anemia due to zidovudine in HIV-infected patients
Treatment of anemia due to the effects of concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy
Reduction of allogeneic RBC transfusions in patients undergoing elective, noncardiac, nonvascular surgery
Prevention of anemia of prematurity in infants with a birth weight of 750 to 1500 gm and gestational age of less than 34 weeks

Description

Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells with a 165 amino acid sequence identical to human urinary EPO

Dosage

Evaluation of iron stores and nutritional factors before and during treatment
Monitoring hemoglobin levels at least weekly until stable, then at least monthly during therapy
Initiating EPO treatment in CKD patients on dialysis when hemoglobin level is less than 10 g/dL
Starting dose of 50-100 units/kg 3 times weekly for adult CKD patients on dialysis
Starting dose of 50 to 100 units/kg 3 times weekly for adult CKD patients not on dialysis
Starting dose of 100 units/kg 3 times per week for zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients
Starting dose of 150 units/kg subcutaneously 3 times per week for cancer patients on chemotherapy
Administering erythropoietin alfa subcutaneously at a dose of 3x250 IU/kg b.w. per week for prevention of anemia of prematurity

Administration

Product should not be shaken or used if shaken or frozen
Syringe should be protected from light
Inspect visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration
Discard unused portions of erythropoietin alfa

Interaction

Potentiated effect by simultaneous therapeutic administration of a haematinic agent such as ferrous sulphate when deficiency state exists

Contraindications

Uncontrolled hypertension
Serious allergic reactions to erythropoietin alfa
Patients who develop Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA)

Side Effects

Hypertension, arthralgia, muscle spasm, pyrexia, dizziness, medical device malfunction, vascular occlusion, upper respiratory tract infection in CKD patients
Pyrexia, cough, rash, injection site irritation in zidovudine-treated HIV-infected patients
Nausea, vomiting, myalgia, arthralgia, stomatitis, cough, weight decrease, leukopenia, bone pain, rash, hyperglycemia, headache, depression, dysphagia, hypokalemia, thrombosis in cancer patients on chemotherapy
Nausea, vomiting, pruritus, headache, injection site pain, chills, deep vein thrombosis, cough, hypertension in surgery patients
A fall in serum ferritin values is very common (>10%) in premature infants

Pregnancy & Lactation

Caution advised in pregnancy and lactation due to inadequate studies in pregnant women and uncertainty about excretion in human milk

Overdose Effects

Can cause hemoglobin levels above the desired level, which should be managed with discontinuation or reduction of dosage and/or with phlebotomy. Severe hypertension observed following overdose