Home Chemotherapy Types of treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia
Illustrative background image
Types of treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia

MENU

Types of treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia

Types of treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia

Iron Icon

Oral or intravenous (IV) iron may be used to control hemoglobin levels.

B12 Icon

Vitamin B12 is given when there is a B12 deficiency, causing pernicious anemia. B12 supplements help make healthy red blood cells.

Blood Icon

A blood transfusion is a procedure in which blood from a donor is given to you through an IV line. Your healthcare provider will determine if a blood transfusion is needed.

Syringe Icon

ESAs like PROCRIT® stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. They are used in the treatment of anemia to reduce the need for blood transfusion. Anemia can be caused by chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

ESA=erythropoiesis-stimulating agent.

What do I need to know about taking PROCRIT®?

Before you start PROCRIT®
Talk Icon
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
    • Have heart disease
    • Have high blood pressure
    • Have had a seizure (convulsion) or stroke
    • Receive dialysis treatment
    • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PROCRIT® may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about possible pregnancy and birth control choices that are right for you
    • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if PROCRIT® passes into breast milk
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements
  • Do not take PROCRIT® if you have cancer and have not been counseled by your healthcare provider about treatment with PROCRIT®
  • It is important that you understand what to expect during your chemotherapy. Ask your healthcare team any questions you may have. These can include where and how often you’ll have chemotherapy and how long your chemotherapy will last
  • Learn about the possible side effects of PROCRIT®. Scroll down to find out more
As you take PROCRIT®
  • If you decide to take PROCRIT®, your healthcare provider should prescribe the smallest dose of PROCRIT® that is necessary to reduce your chance of needing red blood cell transfusions
  • During treatment with PROCRIT®, continue to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for diet and medicines
  • Have your blood pressure checked as instructed by your healthcare provider
How PROCRIT® is given
Where? Icon
  • PROCRIT® is given 1 to 3 times per week intravenously or under the skin
  • Your healthcare provider may administer PROCRIT® at their office or show you how to give yourself the shots (injections) at home. If you have a caregiver, they may be able to be trained to give you the injections at home
  • If you or your caregiver has been trained to give PROCRIT® injections at home:
    • Be sure that you read, understand, and follow the Instructions for Use that come with PROCRIT®
    • Take PROCRIT® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to. Do not change the dose of PROCRIT® unless told to do so by your healthcare provider
    • Your healthcare provider will show you how much PROCRIT® to use, how to inject it, how often it should be injected, and how to safely throw away the used vials, syringes, and needles
    • If you miss a dose of PROCRIT®, call your healthcare provider right away and ask what to do
    • If you take more than the prescribed dose of PROCRIT®, call your healthcare provider right away
  • For more information, follow the Instructions for Use
How PROCRIT® is handled and stored
Thermometer Icon
  • Do not shake PROCRIT®
  • Store PROCRIT® in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
    • Do not freeze PROCRIT® or use it if it has been frozen
    • Protect PROCRIT® from light
    • Keep PROCRIT® and all medicines out of the reach of children
  • Multidose vials: Throw out no later than 21 days from the first day you put a needle into the vial
  • Single-dose vials: Use only one time; throw out even if there is medicine left in the vial

What is the most important information I should know about PROCRIT®?

PROCRIT® may cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

For people with cancer:

Tumor Icon

Your tumor may grow faster and you may die sooner if you choose to take PROCRIT®. Your healthcare provider will talk with you about these risks.

For all people who take PROCRIT®, including people with cancer or chronic kidney disease:

Heart Icon

Serious heart problems, such as heart attack or heart failure, and stroke. You may die sooner if you are treated with PROCRIT® to increase red blood cells (RBCs) to near the same level found in healthy people.

Blood Clots Icon

Blood clots. Blood clots may happen at any time while taking PROCRIT®. If you are receiving PROCRIT® for any reason and you are going to have surgery, talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not you need to take a blood thinner to lessen the chance of blood clots during or following surgery. Blood clots can form in blood vessels (veins), especially in your leg (deep venous thrombosis or DVT). Pieces of a blood clot may travel to the lungs and block the blood circulation in the lungs (pulmonary embolus).

Phone Icon

Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain in your legs, with or without swelling
  • A cool or pale arm or leg
  • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or trouble understanding others’ speech
  • Sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of your body
  • Sudden trouble seeing
  • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • Loss of consciousness (fainting)
  • Hemodialysis vascular access stops working

See serious and common side effects of PROCRIT® below for more information.

If you decide to take PROCRIT®, your healthcare provider should prescribe the smallest dose of PROCRIT® that is necessary to reduce your chance of needing RBC transfusions.

Serious Icon Serious side effects of PROCRIT® include:
Serious Icon
  • High blood pressure
  • Seizures
  • Antibodies to PROCRIT®
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Severe skin reactions
  • Dangers of using PROCRIT® from multiple-dose vials in newborns, infants, and pregnant or breastfeeding women

    • Please see the MEDICATION GUIDE to learn more.

Common side effects of PROCRIT® include:
  • Joint, muscle, or bone pain
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Dizziness
  • High blood sugar
  • Low potassium levels in the blood
  • Chills
  • Redness and pain at the PROCRIT® injection site
  • Rash
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Blood vessel blockage
  • Low white blood cells
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Soreness of mouth
  • Itching
  • Headache
  • Respiratory infection
  • Weight decrease
  • Depression
  • Muscle spasm
Medication guide Icon These are not all the possible side effects of PROCRIT®.
Medication guide Icon

These are not all the possible side effects of PROCRIT®. Your healthcare provider can give you a more complete list. If you are currently taking or considering taking PROCRIT®, you and your healthcare provider should evaluate all risks and benefits associated with this drug.

To learn more about these and other risks, please read the Important Safety Information and the MEDICATION GUIDE and discuss any questions you have with your healthcare provider.

Only you and your healthcare provider can decide if PROCRIT® is right for you.

PROCRIT® is available by prescription only and is administered as a shot (injection).

EXPAND ᐱ