Home Elective Surgery Treatments for anemia in elective surgery
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TREATMENTS FOR ANEMIA IN ELECTIVE SURGERY

TREATMENTS FOR ANEMIA IN ELECTIVE SURGERY

Treatment for anemia prior to certain surgeries

Iron Icon

Oral or intravenous (IV) iron may be used to control hemoglobin levels.

B12 Icon

Vitamin B12 is given when there is a B12 deficiency, causing pernicious anemia. B12 supplements help make healthy red blood cells.

Blood Icon

A blood transfusion is a procedure in which blood is given to you through an intravenous (IV) line. Blood transfusions can treat anemia when the body can’t make enough red blood cells. Your healthcare provider will determine if you need a transfusion.

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ESAs are a class of drugs that stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.
PROCRIT® is an ESA. PROCRIT® may be used in the treatment of anemia. It can reduce the need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing certain types of surgery when they are not able to donate their own blood.

ESA=erythropoiesis-stimulating agent.

Preparing for surgery and recovery

If you have anemia and are planning to have surgery, it is important to know your options. Some types of surgery can result in significant blood loss. So, understanding your treatment options will help you prepare for surgery and recovery.

Blood transfusion is one option. A blood transfusion is a medical procedure that can replace blood you lose during surgery.

There are two types of blood transfusions, depending on where the blood that is being transfused came from:

1

Allogeneic blood transfusion

An allogeneic blood transfusion uses blood from a donor who has the same or a compatible blood type as you.

2

Autologous blood transfusion

An autologous blood transfusion uses your own blood. Your blood is drawn before surgery and set aside in the blood bank for use during or after your surgery.

Only your healthcare provider can advise if a blood transfusion is right for you.

If you are anemic (have a low red blood cell count), you may be offered treatment with iron or PROCRIT® plus iron in the weeks before your surgery. The amount of hemoglobin in your blood may be increased enough to reduce the need for a transfusion.

PROCRIT® may be an option 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:
In place of emergency treatment for anemia (RBC transfusions)
PROCRIT® should not be used to reduce the chance you will need RBC transfusions if*:
You are scheduled for surgery on your heart or blood vessels
You are able and willing to donate blood prior to surgery
You have been told by your healthcare provider that you have or have ever had a type of anemia called Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA) that starts after treatment with PROCRIT® or other erythropoietin protein medicines
You have had a serious allergic reaction to PROCRIT®

*For the complete list, see MEDICATION GUIDE.

RBC=red blood cell.

What do I need to know about taking PROCRIT®?

Blood clots can form in blood vessels (veins) while you are taking PROCRIT®, 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). 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.

Before you start PROCRIT®
Talk Icon
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
    • Have heart disease
    • Have high blood pressure
    • Have had a seizure (convulsion) or stroke
    • Receive dialysis treatment
    • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PROCRIT® may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about possible pregnancy and birth control choices that are right for you
    • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if PROCRIT® passes into breast milk
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
  • Work closely with your healthcare team. Talking with your healthcare provider will help you understand your treatment options, make important decisions, and prepare for surgery
  • If you have anemia, your surgeon may choose to postpone your surgery until your red blood cell count reaches an acceptable level
  • Learn about the possible side effects of PROCRIT®. Scroll down to find out more
As you take PROCRIT®
  • 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 red blood cell transfusions
  • During treatment with PROCRIT®, continue to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for diet and medicines
  • Have your blood pressure checked as instructed by your healthcare provider
How PROCRIT® is given
Where? Icon
  • PROCRIT® is injected under your skin either once a week or once a day, depending on your treatment plan
  • Your healthcare provider may administer PROCRIT® at their office or show you how to give yourself the shots (injections) at home. If you have a caregiver, they may be able to be trained to give you the injections at home
  • If you or your caregiver has been trained to give PROCRIT® injections at home:
    • Be sure that you read, understand, and follow the Instructions for Use that come with PROCRIT®
    • Take PROCRIT® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Do not change the dose of PROCRIT® unless told to do so by your healthcare provider
    • Your healthcare provider will show you how much PROCRIT® to use, how to inject it, how often it should be injected, and how to safely throw away the used vials, syringes, and needles
    • If you miss a dose of PROCRIT®, call your healthcare provider right away and ask what to do
    • If you take more than the prescribed dose of PROCRIT®, call your healthcare provider right away
  • For more information, follow the Instructions for Use
How PROCRIT® is handled and stored
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  • Do not shake PROCRIT®
  • Store PROCRIT® in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
    • Do not freeze PROCRIT® or use it if it has been frozen
    • Protect PROCRIT® from light
    • Keep PROCRIT® and all medicines out of the reach of children
  • Multidose vials: Throw out no later than 21 days from the first day you put a needle into the vial
  • Single-dose vials: Use only one time; throw out even if there is medicine left in the vial

What is the most important information I should know about PROCRIT®?

PROCRIT® may cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

For people with cancer:

Tumor Icon

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:

Heart Icon

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 Icon

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).

Phone Circle Icon

Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain in your legs, with or without swelling
  • A cool or pale arm or leg
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or trouble understanding others’ speech
  • Sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body
  • Sudden trouble seeing
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Loss of consciousness (fainting)
  • Hemodialysis vascular access stops working

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 IconSerious side effects of PROCRIT® include:
Serious Icon
  • High blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Antibodies to PROCRIT®
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Severe skin reactions
  • Dangers of using PROCRIT® from multiple-dose vials in newborns, infants, and pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Please see the MEDICATION GUIDE to learn more.

Warning IconCommon side effects of PROCRIT® include:
Warning Icon
  • Joint, muscle, or bone pain
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Dizziness
  • High blood sugar
  • Low potassium levels in the blood
  • Chills
  • Redness and pain at the PROCRIT® injection site
  • Rash
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Blood vessel blockage
  • Low white blood cells
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Soreness of mouth
  • Itching
  • Headache
  • Respiratory infection
  • Weight decrease
  • Depression
  • Muscle spasm
Medication guide IconThese are not all the possible side effects of PROCRIT®.
Medication guide Icon

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).

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