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Written By Santoshini Reddy G , M Pharmacy
Reviewed By Dr Aneela Siddabathuni , MPharma., PhD
Last Updated Nov 23, 2024 | 4:48 PM IST
EPREX 3000IU INJECTION is used to treat anaemia in cancer, chronic kidney disease, and HIV. It contains Epoetin alfa which works by stimulating the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. In some cases, this medicine may cause side effects such as diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, feeling sick, stuffy nose and sore throat. Inform the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking any other medication, or have any pre-existing medical conditions
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Prescription drug

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Prescription drug
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Manufacturer/Marketer

Johnson & Johnson Pvt Ltd

Consume Type

PARENTERAL

Return Policy

Not Returnable

Expires on or after

Jan-27

for this medicine

About EPREX 3000IU INJECTION

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION belongs to the class of medication called 'blood-forming agent'  primarily used to treat anaemia (low red blood cell count) in persons with chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients affected with HIV, and those receiving chemotherapy for cancer (except for bone marrow or blood cells' cancer). Anaemia occurs when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin. In chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia.

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION contains a human-made protein known as 'Epoetin alfa' which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells (RBCs). EPREX 3000IU INJECTION helps to reverse anaemia and reduce the need for blood transfusion. EPREX 3000IU INJECTION is a biologic response modifier and erythropoiesis-stimulating protein. In chronic kidney disease, when the kidney fails to produce sufficient 'erythropoietin protein' which aids in the formation of red blood cells, EPREX 3000IU INJECTION stimulates the production of this protein in the bone marrow. 

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. The most common side effects of EPREX 3000IU INJECTION are shortness of breath,  cough, low blood pressure during dialysis, headache, body aches, diarrhoea, injection site pain and abdominal pain. Most of these side effects of EPREX 3000IU INJECTION do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.

If you have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure or red cell aplasia (a type of anaemia) due to epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa, please inform your doctor before taking EPREX 3000IU INJECTION to avoid any complications. Inform your doctor immediately, if you feel weak, lightheaded, tired, or short of breath, or if your skin looks pale as it may be a sign that the body has stopped responding to EPREX 3000IU INJECTION. It is not known whether EPREX 3000IU INJECTION will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant and breastfeeding before starting treatment with this medicine. EPREX 3000IU INJECTION is a cold chain medicine, and so it has to be stored in the refrigerator between 2-8 degrees Celsius else its efficiency might be lost. Do not store in the freezer or the fridge.

Uses of EPREX 3000IU INJECTION

Treatment of Anemia in cancer, Anemia in chronic kidney disease, Anemia in HIV.

Medicinal Benefits

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION is a human-made form of naturally occurring erythropoiesis-stimulating protein or erythropoietin (a hormone produced by the kidney's specialized cells and is responsible for protecting red blood cells against destruction and also stimulates the cells of bone marrow to produce more amount of red blood cells). Deficiency of erythropoietin happens when a person is suffering from chronic kidney diseases, which in turn causes low red blood cells count causing anemia.  This medicine is primarily indicated for treating anemia (low red blood cell count) in persons with long-term serious (chronic) kidney disease, persons receiving chemotherapy for some types of cancer except for bone marrow or blood cells cancer, and persons taking zidovudine to treat HIV(human immunodeficiency virus). EPREX 3000IU INJECTION is also used to reduce the need for red blood cell transfusions in adults having certain types of surgery. EPREX 3000IU INJECTION contains a protein 'Epoetin alfa' which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. 

Directions for Use

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of EPREX 3000IU INJECTION

  • Shortness of breath Cough
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • High blood sugar
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Diarrhoea
  • Injection site pain 
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain) 

Drug Warnings

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION can enhance the risk of blood clots and serious heart problems including heart attack so tell your doctor immediately if you notice shortness of breath, sudden numbness or weakness, chest pain, or trouble speaking or understanding. This medicine may speed up tumor growth, or shorten remission or survival time in some people with certain types of cancer. Inform your doctor before taking EPREX 3000IU INJECTION if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, stroke, heart attack, blood clot, seizure, or latex allergy. Do not take EPREX 3000IU INJECTION if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed by the doctor. EPREX 3000IU INJECTION should not be given to children below 1 month of age, as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Do not use EPREX 3000IU INJECTION from a multi-dose vial when giving medicine to a baby. The multi-dose vial contains an ingredient (benzyl alcohol) that can cause serious side effects or death in very young infants or premature babies. EPREX 3000IU INJECTION may affect a person's ability to drive as it may cause convulsions during the initial days of treatment, so a person taking EPREX 3000IU INJECTION should avoid driving or operating any machine. Avoid consuming alcohol along with EPREX 3000IU INJECTION as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. 

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interactions: EPREX 3000IU INJECTION may have interaction with other chemotherapy drugs (thalidomide, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, pomalidomide),  immunosuppressant medication (cyclosporine),  antihypertensive medicines (captopril, benazepril, enalapril, lisinopril, moexipril). 

Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol consumption while taking EPREX 3000IU INJECTION as it might cause increased dizziness and sleepiness.

Drug-Disease Interactions: EPREX 3000IU INJECTION may have interactions with disease conditions such as seizures, hemodialysis, hypertension, porphyria (liver disorders) and thrombotic events.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List

  • THALIDOMIDE
  • LENALIDOMIDE
  • CYCLOSPORINE
  • CAPTOPRIL
  • ENALAPRIL
  • LISINOPRIL
  • CARFILZOMIB
  • POMALIDOMIDE
  • MOEXIPRIL

Habit Forming

No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Limit the consumption of fluids, salt, potassium, phosphorous, and other electrolytes.
  • Eat a low-protein diet, and get enough calories from the foods if you are losing weight.
  • Eat foods that are high in vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid can fulfill the deficiencies of happed in kidney disease.
  • Include a little number of healthy fats in your diet that gives you enough energy to be active during the day; however, try to limit fats that make you fat. Try to include olive oil, peanut oil, and corn oil in your diet.
  • Rest well, and get plenty of sleep.
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
  • Using essential oils for massages can help increase circulation.

Special Advise

  • Certain diagnostic tests like Complete blood count (CBC) can help check the count of red blood cells.
  • Have regular hemoglobin tests to check whether there is an improvement in the level of red blood cells after taking EPREX 3000IU INJECTION or not.
  • You should not use EPREX 3000IU INJECTION if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), or if you have ever had pure red cell aplasia (PRCA, a type of anemia) caused by using EPREX 3000IU INJECTION. 
  • Call your doctor at once if you experience any sign of a blood clot, sudden numbness or weakness, blur vision, speech problem, chest pain, trouble breathing, pain or cold feeling in leg or arm. 
  • Discard any leftover medicine in a multi-dose vial of EPREX 3000IU INJECTION 21 days after the first use.

Disease/Condition Glossary

Anaemia: It occurs when the body has a lower amount of red blood cells or haemoglobin than normal haemoglobin (iron-rich protein responsible for allowing red blood cells to carry more oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body).  In chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood, leading to anaemia. Symptoms of anaemia in chronic kidney disease include fatigue or tiredness, shortness of breath, ashen skin, weakness, body aches, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, fast or irregular heartbeat, headache, sleep problems, and trouble concentrating. 

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Alcohol

Unsafe

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking EPREX 3000IU INJECTION as it may increase dizziness and sleepiness.

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Pregnancy

Caution

Avoid taking EPREX 3000IU INJECTION if you are pregnant unless prescribed by a doctor as EPREX 3000IU INJECTION is a pregnancy category B drug. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks. If prescribed use only single-dose vials (the benzyl alcohol-free formulation) in pregnant women.

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Breast Feeding

Caution

Consult your doctor before taking EPREX 3000IU INJECTION; your doctor will decide whether EPREX 3000IU INJECTION can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.

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Driving

Caution

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION causes convulsions (seizures), especially during the initial months of treatment. So, it is better not to drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.

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Liver

Caution

Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.

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Kidney

Caution

Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.

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Children

Caution

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION should not be given to neonates as the safety and efficacy have not been established.

Country of origin

India

Manufacturer/Marketer address

Corporate Communications, Johnson & Johnson Private Limited., 501 Arena Space, Behind Majas Bus Depot, Off Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road, Jogeshwari (E), Mumbai 400 060
Other Info - EPR0003

Author Details

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FAQs

EPREX 3000IU INJECTION is used to treat anaemia (low red blood cell count) in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients affected with HIV, and those receiving chemotherapy for cancer (except for bone marrow or blood cells cancer).
EPREX 3000IU INJECTION contains a protein "Epoetin alfa", which works by providing signals to the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. As in chronic kidney disease, the kidney gets damaged and doesn't filter the blood in the way it should be leading to anemia.
A person who is allergic to any chemical compound present in EPREX 3000IU INJECTION or have uncontrolled/untreated high blood pressure, or ever had pure red cell aplasia (a type of anaemia) caused by using darbepoetin alfa, or epoetin alfa is not allowed to take a name.
It is advised to tell your doctor about your medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, a stroke, heart attack, or blood clot, a seizure, a latex allergy to avoid any type of medical condition.
It is suggested to store the EPREX 3000IU INJECTION in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 ℃ and protect it from light. However, a person should not freeze it.
The common side-effects of EPREX 3000IU INJECTION are headache and pain, redness at the injection site. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. However, inform your doctor immediately if any of these side-effects persist or get worse.
EPREX 3000IU INJECTION will be administered subcutaneously (under the skin) or intravenously (through the vein) by the doctor or nurse based on individual considerations.
Since EPREX 3000IU INJECTION will be administered by the doctor it is unlikely to exceed the recommended dose. However, seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of overdose such as a fast or racing heartbeat.
Yes, EPREX 3000IU INJECTION will be given to children by the doctor if needed. However, it should not be given to children under 1 month of age, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established for this age group. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Yes, EPREX 3000IU INJECTION may cause hypertension (high blood pressure). The doctor will control high blood pressure before and during treatment. However, it is not recommended for people with uncontrolled hypertension. Let the doctor know if you have hypertension before starting treatment with EPREX 3000IU INJECTION.

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Keep Refrigerated. Do not freeze.Prepaid payment required.