Epogen vs. Procrit for Anemia and Kidney Disease: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Epogen

(epoetin alfa)

Procrit

(epoetin alfa)

Summary for Epogen

Prescription only

Epogen (epoetin alfa) is an injection used to treat certain types of anemia, or low red blood cell count. It's FDA approved for people with anemia caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD), HIV treatment with zidovudine, or cancer chemotherapy. It's also used to reduce the need for blood transfusions in people undergoing certain surgeries. You can get the medication as an injection under the skin or into a vein. Depending on your condition, you might take it once a day, once a week, or 3 times a week. Common side effects include high blood pressure, fever, and muscle or joint pain.

Indications for Epogen

Treat anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD), taking zidovudine for HIV, or cancer chemotherapy
Reduce the need for blood transfusions before certain surgeries

Pros and Cons for Epogen

Pros

Can reduce the need for blood transfusions
If appropriate, can be injected at home
Approved for both children and adults
Dose can be adjusted to fit your individual needs

Cons

Raises the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke
Only works if iron levels are high enough
Need regular blood tests to check hemoglobin levels
Can take 2 to 6 weeks for it to work

Common Side Effects for Epogen

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

High blood pressure (up to 28%)
Joint pain (up to 16%)
Fever (10%)
Dizziness (10%)

Taking zidovudine for HIV

Fever (42%)
Cough (26%)
Rash (19%)

Cancer chemotherapy

Nausea (35%)
Vomiting (20%)
Muscle pain (10%)
Joint pain (10%)
Mouth sores (10%)

Certain surgeries

Nausea (up to 56)
Vomiting (up to 28%)
Itchiness (up to 21%)
Headache (up to 18%)
Injection-site pain (up to 13%)

Warnings for Epogen

Higher risk of death and serious events
Cancer survival and tumor growth
High blood pressure
Seizures
No hemoglobin response
Red blood cell condition
Serious allergic reactions
Severe skin reactions
Risk of serious gasping syndrome in babies
Risk of infection from human blood

Summary for Procrit

Prescription only

Procrit (epoetin alfa) is an injection used to treat anemia, or low red blood cell count, caused by chronic kidney disease (CKD), taking zidovudine for HIV, or cancer chemotherapy. It's also used to reduce the need for blood transfusions in people undergoing certain surgeries. The medication given as a shot under the skin or into a vein, often in a clinic, dialysis center, or sometimes at home. Depending on your condition, you might take it once a day, once a week, or 3 times a week. Common side effects include high blood pressure, fever, and muscle or joint pain.

Indications for Procrit

Treat anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD), taking zidovudine for HIV, or cancer chemotherapy
Reduce the need for blood transfusions before certain surgeries

Pros and Cons for Procrit

Pros

Can reduce the need for blood transfusions
If appropriate, can be injected at home
Approved for both children and adults
Dose can be adjusted to fit your individual needs

Cons

Raises the risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke
Only works if iron levels are high enough
Need regular blood tests to check hemoglobin levels
Can take 2 to 6 weeks for it to work

Common Side Effects for Procrit

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

High blood pressure (up to 28%)
Joint pain (up to 16%)
Fever (10%)
Dizziness (10%)

Taking zidovudine for HIV

Fever (42%)
Cough (26%)
Rash (19%)

Cancer chemotherapy

Nausea (35%)
Vomiting (20%)
Muscle pain (10%)
Joint pain (10%)
Mouth sores (10%)

Certain surgeries

Nausea (up to 56)
Vomiting (up to 28%)
Itchiness (up to 21%)
Headache (up to 18%)
Injection-site pain (up to 13%)

Warnings for Procrit

Higher risk of death and serious events
Cancer survival and tumor growth
High blood pressure
Seizures
No hemoglobin response
Red blood cell condition
Serious allergic reactions
Severe skin reactions
Risk of serious gasping syndrome in babies
Risk of infection from human blood

Prices with our coupons for Epogen vs. Procrit

Epogen4 vials / 1ml of 10000 units/ml

$652.48$897.91

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Procrit2 vials / 1ml of 20000 units/ml

$1,043.87$1,320.24

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Epogen vs. Procrit

Epogen

Procrit

Summary for Epogen

Indications for Epogen

Pros and Cons for Epogen

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Epogen

Warnings for Epogen

Summary for Procrit

Indications for Procrit

Pros and Cons for Procrit

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Procrit

Warnings for Procrit

Prices with our coupons for Epogen vs. Procrit

Browse medications by letter

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Epogen

Procrit

Summary for Epogen

Indications for Epogen

Pros and Cons for Epogen

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Epogen

Warnings for Epogen

Summary for Procrit

Indications for Procrit

Pros and Cons for Procrit

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Procrit

Warnings for Procrit