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Mircera vs. Procrit

Mircera is a medication that's used to treat anemia (low red blood cells) in people who have kidney problems. It's approved for people age 5 years and older who are on dialysis, though it can also be used for adults who aren't on dialysis. Mircera is an injection that can be given by your healthcare provider, but you can give the injection to yourself at home in some cases after you get trained on how to use it. The dose is given once every two weeks or once a month. This medication can cause high blood pressure as a side effect, so your provider will check that your blood pressure is under control before you start treatment with Mircera.

• Anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD)

• High blood pressure (13%)
• Diarrhea (11%)
• Cold and flu symptoms (11%)
• Upper respiratory infection (9%)
• Headache (9%)
• Muscle spasms (8%)

• Higher risk of death, heart attack, stroke, and blood clots
• Not for use in people with anemia due to chemotherapy
• High blood pressure
• Seizures
• Possible to have no response or to lose response to the medication
• Severe allergic and skin reactions

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.

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

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%)

• 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