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

Mircera

Procrit

(epoetin alfa)

Summary for Mircera

Prescription only

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.

Indications for Mircera

Anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD)

Pros and Cons for Mircera

Pros

Long-lasting, so it only needs to be given once or twice a month
Can be given at home in certain situations
Comes in prefilled syringes for easier use
Can use for children age 5 and older

Cons

Not recommended for use in anemia caused by chemotherapy nor as a substitute for blood transfusions
Can't use if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure
Only works if you have enough iron in your blood
Hasn't been shown to improve quality of life, fatigue, or well-being

Common Side Effects for Mircera

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

Warnings for Mircera

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

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 Mircera vs. Procrit

Mircera1 syringe / 0.3ml of 30mcg/0.3ml

$89.33$115.47

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Procrit2 vials / 1ml of 20000 units/ml

$1,032.49$1,315.37

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Mircera vs. Procrit

Mircera

Procrit

Summary for Mircera

Indications for Mircera

Pros and Cons for Mircera

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Mircera

Warnings for Mircera

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 Mircera vs. Procrit

Browse medications by letter

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Mircera

Procrit

Summary for Mircera

Indications for Mircera

Pros and Cons for Mircera

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Mircera

Warnings for Mircera

Summary for Procrit

Indications for Procrit

Pros and Cons for Procrit

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Procrit

Warnings for Procrit