Epoetin Alfa
Também conhecido como: Epogen, Procrit, Eprex, NeoRecormon, Neorecormon
- **Administration:** If giving injections at home, ensure you have been properly trained by your veterinary team on subcutaneous injection techniques. - **Storage:** Keep the medication in the refrigerator (2-8°C). **Do not freeze** and **do not shake** the vial, as shaking can destroy the active protein. - **Monitoring:** Keep all scheduled appointments for blood tests. Frequent monitoring of red blood cell counts (PCV) and blood pressure is critical. - **Warning Signs:** Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet becomes increasingly lethargic, weak, or loses their appetite, as this could indicate a dangerous immune reaction (autoantibody formation) causing the anemia to worsen.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Adjunctive therapy for anemia associated with endstage renal disease
- Anemia associated with endstage renal disease (PCV <20%)
- Problematic clinical signs and PCV <20%
- Anemia
- Anemia (Rabbits)
- Adjunctive therapy for anemia associated with endstage renal disease
- Adjunctive therapy for anemia associated with endstage renal disease
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Autoantibody formation (leading to refractory anemia)
- Systemic hypertension
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Uveitis
- Iron depletion
- Local reactions at injection sites
- Fever
- Arthralgia
- Mucocutaneous ulcers
- Polycythemia (with chronic overdosage)
Cautions & contraindications
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Hypersensitivity to epoetin alfa
- Formation of significant autoantibodies with prior treatment
- Equines (not recommended for use)
- Therapy should be started with caution or withheld until corrected in animals with **moderate to severe hypertension** or **iron deficiency**. **Autoantibody Risk:** Up to 30% of patients may develop antibodies significant enough to cause profound anemia and arrestment of erythropoiesis. A bone marrow aspirate showing a myeloid:erythroid ratio >6 predicts significant autoantibody formation and contraindicates further therapy. Discontinue therapy if polycythemia, fever, anorexia, joint pain, cellulitis, or cutaneous/mucosal ulceration occurs.
Drug interactions
- Androgens: May increase the sensitivity of erythroid progenitors; safety of this combination is not fully determined.
- Desmopressin: Concurrent use with EPO can decrease bleeding times.
- Probenecid: Has been demonstrated to reduce the renal tubular excretion of EPO; clinical significance remains unclear.
- Iron supplements: Synergistic/Required; EPO increases demand for iron to synthesize hemoglobin for new RBCs
Perguntas frequentes
What is Epoetin Alfa used for in pets?
- Administration: If giving injections at home, ensure you have been properly trained by your veterinary team on subcutaneous injection techniques. - Storage: Keep the medication in the refrigerator (2-8°C). Do not freeze and do not shake the vial, as shaking can destroy the active protein. - Monitoring: Keep all scheduled appointments for blood tests. Frequent monitoring of red blood cell counts (PCV) and blood pressure is critical. - Warning Signs: Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet becomes increasingly lethargic, weak, or loses their appetite, as this could indicate a dangerous immune reaction (autoantibody formation) causing the anemia to worsen.
Is Epoetin Alfa safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Este artigo é educação geral e não substitui orientação veterinária. Se o pet estiver mal, consulte um veterinário.
Preocupado com seu pet?
A IA da Peqaboo ajuda a registrar sintomas, entender exames e saber quando ir ao veterinário.
Baixar o app Peqaboo