What is PROCRIT®?
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PROCRIT® is a prescription medicine used to treat anemia. People with anemia have a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells (RBCs). PROCRIT® works like the human protein called erythropoietin to help your body make more RBCs. PROCRIT® is used to reduce or avoid the need for RBC transfusions.
PROCRIT® is used for the treatment of anemia caused by:
PROCRIT® may also be used to reduce the chance you will need RBC transfusions if you are scheduled for CERTAIN SURGERIES WHERE A LOT OF BLOOD LOSS IS EXPECTED.
If your hemoglobin level stays too high or if your hemoglobin goes up too quickly, this may lead to serious health problems which may result in death. These serious health problems may happen if you take PROCRIT®, even if you do not have an increase in your hemoglobin level. PROCRIT® has not been proven to improve quality of life, fatigue, or well-being.
PROCRIT® should not be used for treatment of anemia:
PROCRIT® should not be used to reduce the chance you will need RBC transfusions if:
It is not known if PROCRIT® is safe and effective in treating anemia in children less than 1 month old who have chronic kidney disease and in children less than 5 years old who have anemia caused by chemotherapy.
Anemia is a condition in which the body makes a lower-than-normal number of RBCs. RBCs are made in the bone marrow (the soft, inner portion of your bones).
RBCs are important because they contain hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
When you are anemic, you have lower levels of hemoglobin. This means that less oxygen is able to reach your muscles and organs. For some patients, having anemia may increase the chance of needing a blood transfusion.
PROCRIT® is a prescription medicine used to treat anemia.
PROCRIT® works like the human protein called erythropoietin to help your body make more RBCs.
The human protein erythropoietin helps the bone marrow make red blood cells (RBCs)
If you have a lower-than-normal number of RBCs, PROCRIT® can help the bone marrow make more
PROCRIT® raises your hemoglobin (Hb) level and may reduce the need for a blood transfusion.
The rise in Hb is not immediate. It may take 2 to 6 weeks before the number of red blood cells increases in your body. Individual results with PROCRIT® may vary.
ESAs are not the only treatments for anemia. Other treatments may include iron, vitamin B12, and blood transfusions.
For people with cancer:
Your tumor may grow faster and you may die sooner if you choose to take PROCRIT®. Your healthcare provider will talk with you about these risks.
For all people who take PROCRIT®, including people with cancer or chronic kidney disease:
Serious heart problems, such as heart attack or heart failure, and stroke. You may die sooner if you are treated with PROCRIT® to increase red blood cells (RBCs) to near the same level found in healthy people.
Blood clots. Blood clots may happen at any time while taking PROCRIT®. If you are receiving PROCRIT® for any reason and you are going to have surgery, talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not you need to take a blood thinner to lessen the chance of blood clots during or following surgery. Blood clots can form in blood vessels (veins), especially in your leg (deep venous thrombosis or DVT). Pieces of a blood clot may travel to the lungs and block the blood circulation in the lungs (pulmonary embolus).
Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:
See serious and common side effects of PROCRIT® below for more information.
If you decide to take PROCRIT®, your healthcare provider should prescribe the smallest dose of PROCRIT® that is necessary to reduce your chance of needing RBC transfusions.
Serious side effects of PROCRIT® include:
Please see the MEDICATION GUIDE to learn more.
Common side effects of PROCRIT® include:
These are not all the possible side effects of PROCRIT®.
These are not all the possible side effects of PROCRIT®. Your healthcare provider can give you a more complete list. If you are currently taking or considering taking PROCRIT®, you and your healthcare provider should evaluate all risks and benefits associated with this drug.
To learn more about these and other risks, please read the Important Safety Information and the MEDICATION GUIDE and discuss any questions you have with your healthcare provider.
Only you and your healthcare provider can decide if PROCRIT® is right for you.
PROCRIT® is available by prescription only and is administered as a shot (injection).