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Important U.S. Safety Information for PROCRIT

Boxed WARNINGS: Increased Mortality, Serious Cardiovascular and Thromboembolic Events, and Tumor Progression

Renal failure: Patients experienced greater risks for death and serious cardiovascular events when administered erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to target higher versus lower hemoglobin levels (13.5 vs. 11.3 g/dL; 14 vs. 10 g/dL) in two clinical studies. Individualize dosing to achieve and maintain hemoglobin levels within the range of 10 to 12 g/dL.

Cancer:

-- ESAs shortened overall survival and/or time-to-tumor progression in

clinical studies in patients with advanced breast, head and neck,

lymphoid, and non-small cell lung malignancies when dosed to target a

hemoglobin of greater than or equal to 12 g/dL.

-- The risks of shortened survival and tumor progression have not been

excluded when ESAs are dosed to target a hemoglobin of < 12 g/dL.

-- To minimize these risks, as well as the risk of serious cardio- and

thrombovascular events, use the lowest dose needed to avoid red blood

cell transfusions.

-- Use only for treatment of anemia due to concomitant myelosuppressive

chemotherapy.

-- Discontinue following the completion of a chemotherapy course.

Perisurgery: PROCRIT increased the rate of deep venous thromboses in patients not receiving prophylactic anticoagulation. Consider deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis.

Contraindications

PROCRIT is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension or with known hypersensitivity to albumin (human) or mammalian cell-derived products.

Additional Important Safety Information

-- The dose of PROCRIT should be titrat
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