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Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are used to treat anemia associated with kidney disease. Some are also used to treat anemia associated with side effects from certain chemotherapy and HIV medications, and others are also used to reduce the need for blood transfusions from surgery. They work by increasing red blood cells in the blood.

Why are erythropoiesis stimulating agents prescribed?

  1. Anemia (50%)
  2. Kidney Disease (50%)

Key takeaways

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are used to treat anemia caused by chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy, and certain HIV treatments. These medications work by stimulating your bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, which helps to increase your hemoglobin levels and reduce the need for blood transfusions. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are typically given as injections. Examples include epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit), Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa), and Mircera (methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta).

Prices for popular Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents medications
Viewing 5 of 5 medications
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Epogen

as low as$38
Epogen (epoetin-alfa) is used to treat anemia. Epogen is also available as a biosimilar. Biosimilars are biologic drugs that are similar to the original medication with no meaningful differences in effectiveness or safety. The currently approved biosimliar for epogen is retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx). Epogen may be covered by your Medicare or insurance plan.
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Retacrit

as low as$429
Retacrit (epoetin alfa-epbx) is used to treat anemia. Retacrit is a biosimilar to epogen (epoetin-alfa). iosimilars are biologic drugs that are similar to the original medication with no meaningful differences in effectiveness or safety. Retacrit may be covered by your Medicare or insurance plan.
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Aranesp

as low as$748
DARBEPOETIN ALFA treats low levels of red blood cells (anemia) caused by kidney disease or chemotherapy. It works by helping your body make more red blood cells, which reduces the need for blood transfusions.
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Procrit

as low as$57
EPOETIN ALFA treats low levels of red blood cells (anemia) caused by kidney disease, chemotherapy, or HIV medications. It can also be used in people who are at risk for blood loss during surgery. It works by helping your body make more red blood cells, which reduces the need for blood transfusions.
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Mircera

as low as$226
METHOXY POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL-EPOETIN BETA treats low levels of red blood cells (anemia) in people with kidney disease. It works by helping your body make more red blood cells, which reduces the need for blood transfusions.
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Disclaimer: Popularity is based on total prescriptions for the brand and generic versions of each drug, regardless of the condition being treated. Some drugs are prescribed for multiple conditions.

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