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without other cytopenias, associated with neutralizing antibodies to
erythropoietin have been reported in patients with chronic renal
failure receiving PROCRIT by subcutaneous administration. If any
patient develops a sudden loss of response to PROCRIT, accompanied by
severe anemia and low reticulocyte count, and anti-erythropoietin
antibody-associated anemia is suspected, withhold PROCRIT and other
erythropoietic proteins. Contact ORTHO BIOTECH (1-888-2ASKOBI or
1-888-227-5624) to perform assays for binding and neutralizing
antibodies. If erythropoietin antibody-mediated anemia is confirmed,
PROCRIT should be permanently discontinued and patients should not be
switched to other erythropoietic proteins.
-- The safety and efficacy of PROCRIT therapy have not been established in
patients with a known history of a seizure disorder or underlying
hematologic disease (e.g., sickle cell anemia, myelodysplastic
syndromes or hypercoagulable disorders).
-- In some female patients, menses have resumed following PROCRIT therapy;
the possibility of pregnancy should be discussed and the need for
contraception evaluated.
-- Prior to and regularly during PROCRIT therapy monitor iron status;
transferrin saturation should be greater than or equal to 20% and
ferritin should be greater than or equal to 100 ng/mL. During therapy
absolute or functional iron deficiency may develop and all patients
will eventually require supplemental iron to adequately support
erythropoiesis stimulated by PROCRIT.
-- During PROCRIT therapy, blood pressure should be monitored carefully
and aggressively managed, particularly in patients with an underlying
history of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
-- In studies, the most common side effects included fever (py
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