Ortho Biotech Statement on U.S. Food and Drug Administration Oncologic Drugs Advisory Comm...(ntibody-mediated anemia is confirmed ...),Health

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 (pyrexia),

diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, swelling of hands or feet (edema), lack or

loss of strength or weakness (asthenia, fatigue), shortness of breath,

high blood pressure, headache, joint pain (arthralgias), abnormal skin

sensations (as tingling or tickling or itching or burning;

paresthesia), rash, constipation and upper respiratory infection.

Please visit http://www.procrit.com for the full Prescribing Information, including the Boxed WARNINGS.

About Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.

Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. is a leading biophar
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